The way the police in England and Wales deal with complaints of anti-social behaviour has been strongly criticised by the chief inspector of constabulary.

Denis O'Connor told Today presenter Sarah Montague that unless something was done to properly record and help repeat victims "your chances of getting on top of a chronic illness that causes corrosive harm in communities, isn't very good at all".

Sir Hugh Orde, President of the Association of Chief Police Officers accepted that "citizen deserved a response from the public sector" when faced with anti-social behaviour.

But he argued that it was often other public agencies who were "best fixed" to solve the problem, and that a more joined up approach was required between the government agencies.