A TOUGH stance on anti-social behaviour has won Bolton Council a top accolade.

The authority was presented with a Government-sponsored Beacon award, for preventing and tackling anti-social behaviour, at a ceremony in London.

Of 179 councils which applied for 2007 Beacon status, Bolton was one of only 48 to receive an award and one of just four to win one in the Anti-Social Behaviour category.

Now the town will receive a slice of £3 million to improve its work in that area further and share its ideas with other councils.

Council leader Cllr Cliff Morris said: "We are delighted that Bolton was the only council in the north to be recognised as trailblazing in the field of preventing anti-social behaviour and look forward to sharing best practice with other authorities across the UK."

A survey of Bolton residents, to which 1,226 people responded, showed the number of residents who felt anti-social behaviour was a very big or fairly big problem fell from 45 per cent in 2003 to 28 per cent last year.

Judges of the award were told of Bolton Council's evidence-based approach to tackling repeat incidents of anti-social behaviour in which it drew up 447 Acceptable Behaviour Contracts for young people which bind them to a set standard of behaviour. These are said to have had a 72 per cent success rate.

Anti Social Behaviour Orders (ASBOs), which go through the courts, are only used by the council as a last resort.

The award judges also took into account the Bolton Families Project, which gives families at risk of eviction up to 16 hours a week of intensive support.

The council was commended for the activities it puts on for youngsters. And assessors also highlighted the success of the GMP Copshop mobile police station.

Bolton's most senior police officer, Chief Supt Dave Lea, said: "We are delighted that Bolton Council has won this prestigious and well-deserved award.

"It reflects the hard work and commitment that the council and its partners have put into dealing with anti-social behaviour at all levels.

The Beacon awards were established by the Government in 1999 to identify excellence in local government and encourage councils to share best practice.