Strengthening communities is one of the key ways of tackling anti-social behaviour – and that is exactly what is happening in the Crow Lane area of Henbury.

The neighbourhood has been plagued by a small group of young troublemakers who loiter outside shops and cause a nuisance by fighting, drinking, swearing, vandalising property and giving the area a bad name.

But local people are determined to rid the streets of the problem and with the help of Safer Bristol, Avon and Somerset police and the city council the area is improving once again.

Safer Bristol's community safety officer Cheryl Coles has set up residents' groups and guided them through the early stages of community action.

These include community safety environment group Search – an offshoot of Henbury Community Council - which has organised a fun day at the park in Crow Lane to bring people together. Around 20 local residents are in Search, along with ten members from various agencies.

Ms Coles ensures attendance from the appropriate agencies at its monthly meetings, which discuss community safety and anti-social behaviour issues.

A walkabout is held every two months to find out if there has been any fly-tipping, criminal damage or graffiti.

Ms Coles said: "We've worked together for years to identify and deal with the persistent offenders while giving young people alternatives to getting involved in anti-social behaviour.

"Activities aimed at kids and their families are fantastic opportunities to build confidence, they enable people to come together and engage in the more positive side of the community."

The Search events group is responsible for Crow Lane's annual fun day which takes place this year on August 22 at Barnard Park. It will be opened by Deputy Lord Mayor Councillor Royston Griffey at noon and is expected to attract more than 250 people.

Free events include a bouncy castle and rodeo bull, face painting and henna tattoos, woodcarving workshop, live music and children's fancy dress.

PCSO Abby Elliott-Taylor will demonstrate balloon modelling dressed as a clown and new PCSO Mike Bettel and Evening Post chief reporter Julie Harding will be locked in the stocks, with residents invited to throw wet sponges at them.

Pat Lee, a member of Search who has lived in Henbury for nearly 57 years, said: "Since residents got involved, the anti-social behaviour associated with Crow Lane has really quietened down.

"By far the majority of local kids are great and I'm really pleased that now there are so many more activities."

Rick Palmer, service director of Safer Bristol, said: "Anti-social behaviour can have a devastating impact on communities.

"Residents can feel trapped in their homes and unsafe on the streets.

"We are not prepared for the quality of life of our communities to suffer.

"As a result of the hard work undertaken by local residents and the partners we are successfully tackling the ringleaders and improving facilities for young people."

A wide range of activities for all age groups has been devised to keep young people busy. From Monday, July 27, until the new school term, activities will be staged each day including cooking clubs, circus skills, graffiti workshops, drama schools and day trips.