By David Schaffer BBC News Online, Liverpool

Mr Blunkett said centres will be a "focal point" for crime reduction

That's the view of Alan Carr, a community leader who works in Vauxhall, one of the city's most deprived areas.

Mr Carr was responding to Home Secretary David Blunkett's announcement on Wednesday that the city is to pilot a Community Justice Centre, which will include a court, and aims to bring criminal justice operations into communities.

Based on an American model, the court will be able to hand out sentences for low-level crimes and address particular local disorder problems.

Mr Carr, a former officer with Merseyside Police, told BBC News Online that residents in Vauxhall felt "under siege" by crime and city authorities had consistently ignored them.

"Residents have had to put up with years of disorder, significant criminal damage, drug dealing, stolen cars, and neighbour disputes.

Communities have a jaundiced view of new announcements and it is action that really counts Alan Carr, Eldonian Village

"They feel they're under siege and the police and local authority doesn't listen to them," said Mr Carr.

Another of Mr Carr's jobs is to co-ordinate the work of wardens in the Eldonian Village - a community that was set up in Vauxhall 25 years ago.

It was established by residents who refused to move when they were offered re-location packages as part of slum clearance projects. It now has up to 300 homes and a range of community facilities.

Mr Carr said: "There is very little crime and disorder in the village - residents tend to toe the line, because they don't want to lose their homes.

Justice has been seen for too long as something that focuses on the offender and not the community Chief Constable Norman Bettison

"The idea of having a neighbourhood court sounds like it would help this. Dealing with things on a local level like this is better than something city-wide.

"But for the area surrounding the village, there is much more action required."

His view is echoed by city Councillor Flo Clucas, executive member for community safety, who believes more work is required.

"By itself it will not solve all the problems of crime and anti-social behaviour," she said.

"What is required is a complete package of measures and, in particular, more uniforms on the streets.

"We need to catch offenders and to use effective measures against those who encourage anti-social behaviour.

Mr Blunkett's announcement has been welcomed by Merseyside Police.

'Communities intimidated'

Chief Constable Norman Bettison said: "Justice has been seen for too long as something that focuses on the offender and not the community.

"In Merseyside the force has really got to grips with offences such as robbery and burglary.

"But there is still this anti-social behaviour and hooliganism in the midst of many communities, and this makes them feel angry and intimidated."

For the residents of Vauxhall this is an all too familiar story, said Mr Carr, and for that reason Mr Blunkett's announcement will not be enthusiastically received.

"Communities have a jaundiced view of new announcements and it is action that really counts.

"People want to see criminals being fingered and removed from their areas," he said.