ANTI-SOCIAL behaviour seems to be a topic close to the heart of many of our national politicians.

Hardly a week goes by without Prime Minister Tony Blair, or another Parliamentary heavyweight, launching one big initiative or another.

Not a bad thing, many will say.

Clamping down on louts, vandals, and noisy neighbours is always a populist policy - and this may be particualtly apposite as we appear to be heading inexorably towards a May General Election.

But at the grass roots level, it is often difficult to find the evidence that any of these great schemes actually work.

The story published on the front page of the Evening News today seems to address this issue.

A local police officer has called on the community he serves to engage in a bit of "do it yourself" and name and shame unruly elements who are out and about in the villages leaving a trail of destruction and frightening the local residents.

The bill for one village is more than £2,000 to repair damage - seven per cent of their parish precept.

Now, naming and shaming is not a new tactic, but in these small villages with close-knit communities it will probably be exceptionally effective.

They are the sort of places where everyone knows everyone.

This is a worthwhile project and should be one that will deliver results swiftly.

But, if the initiative is to work it will be up to the public to support the police and give the names.

To repeat that well-known phrase or saying: "Just do it".