TACKLING anti-social behaviour is one of the most pressing problems facing local authorities and other agencies today, and great strides are being taken in dealing with it.

In the last few weeks, for instance, Elgar Housing Association has announced a get-tough policy for "neighbours from hell", including eviction, and Malvern Hills District Council has decided to employ an officer specifically to deal with the issue.

But although harsh measures are undoubtedly needed in some cases, there are a lot more where a calm word at the right time would be a better solution.

Speaking those calm words, and staging peace talks between the aggrieved parties, is the work of Mediation South Worcestershire, which is proving a great success in the Malvern area.

Last year it handled more than 110 cases, and well over three-quarters of those going to mediation were settled.

Mediation South Worcestershire deals with neighbourhood problems; the largest cause of upset is noise, followed by property issues, children's behaviour, car parking, pets and rubbish.

Malvern's Ken Allcock, the group's founder, said: "Many people find their attempts to speak to their neighbour about the problem raises the temperature and ends with verbal insults.

"Complaining to the environmental health department, a housing provider or the police, or hiring a solicitor to fight the case can make matters much worse."

Instead, he says, mediation can make it possible for neighbours to reduce the tension, not by finding fault, but by helping both sides to understand the situation more clearly. The ideal goal is a win-win result.

"In one case that had been rumbling on for about two years, with housing, environmental and police officers, solicitors, relations and neighbours all getting embroiled, both families were sick with the distress and one was wanting to move.

"We were able to bring them together and help them talk it through.

"After about 80 minutes they found some amazing common history and agreed a number of things and shook hands. Apparently, they are still friendly neighbours today."

Such face-to-face meetings are held at a neutral venue, governed by strict rules which ban shouting, insults, standing, swearing and aggression.

"The parties are not there to resume a slanging match but to sort things out," says Ken. "Ideally, we prefer to intervene as soon as possible after the breakdown in communication, although we will intervene in long-standing cases if we are convinced that both parties want to bury the hatchet.

"We reassure people and help both parties to get things off their chest, encourage them to offer and to agree to small changes in their behaviour which leaves the problems behind and enables them to move ahead to a more positive future."

The mediation service is free, impartial, and confidential. To find out more, call 01905 330011.