THE centre of Haslemere is to be one of several areas in Waverley where police will work to reduce residents' fear of crime.

The move comes after Waverley councillors blamed "gangs of anti-social young people" for adding to the fear of crime felt by many across the borough.

"Young hooligans" were criticised for causing criminal damage, and more minor offences such as graffiti.

Poor street lighting and groups of young people were also said to create an atmosphere of unease.

"Anti-social behaviour becomes delinquent, then criminal if not nipped in the bud," said John Sandy at last week's Waverley executive committee where councillors discussed Waverley's draft community safety strategy for 2002 - 2005.

Mr Sandy patrols part of Milford at night in his car to keep an eye out for trouble. "There is a group of hooligans causing mayhem," he said.

Although he reports these incidents to the police, Mr Sandy claims that they are not interested. He said that the draft strategy "doesn't mention any of these things, or any kind of rapid-response unit to deal with crime that is highly mobile these days".

Jean Mansley said she could not understand how the authors of the report had arrived at some of their priorities.

"I could quote you Weydown Road car park in Haslemere - there's a crime there every week, but it's not listed here."

Mrs Mansley said that there is a fear of crime throughout the borough, particularly among the elderly.

Captain Peter Burden added: "Even kids riding bicycles in a dangerous manner can be upsetting to many people."

Dr Genny Lane agreed that there should be a strong commitment to deal with anti-social behaviour, particularly the offenders under the age of criminal responsibility.

"It would be helpful to involve education authorities and victim support," she said. "And criminal behaviour in hospitals should also be addressed."

David Inman said it was important to impress upon the parents their responsibilities towards their children.

"We must get them on the straight and narrow and keep them as good citizens," he said.

Although the incidence of burglaries in Waverley last year was very low, the report said that around a third of residents were worried by the possibility of being burgled and more than half of those consulted on the priorities of the strategy identified it as a major concern.

The report is the result of extensive consultation with a broad cross-section of the community, from schools, the citizens' panel and voluntary workers.

It has three aims; to reduce crime and the fear of crime, to improve safety in public areas and to reduce substance misuse and related offences.

The draft document was prepared by the Waverley community safety executive, comprising among others Waverley's chief executive, the police divisional superintendent and the assistant director of Surrey County Council.

The comments of the executive committee will now be passed to the officers wh odrafted the document, which will be further debated at the leisure overview and scrutiny committee on March 26.