Other than violence and sexual crime, one thing that really gets to people most is anti-social behaviour - thuggery, the breakdown of respect and order

David Blunkett

The conference at Whitehall on Tuesday comes after the home secretary unveiled a package of proposals, including civilian warden patrols and blood tests for suspected drink-drivers.

Former New York Police Department chief Bill Bratton, who pioneered "zero tolerance" policing, has also been invited to address the meeting.

Anti-social behaviour orders (ASBOs) operate like a restraining order, forcing offenders to behave for two years or be taken back to court and risk imprisonment for up to five years.

They have not been used widely since they were introduced under the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 to clamp down on those who create a climate of fear in their community.

Faster process

Excessive bureaucracy has been blamed for the slow take-up and only 466 orders have been granted in the last three years.

Mr Blunkett told the meeting police the process would be speeded up by the new measures.

Transport police would also be able to adopt the measures to deal with trouble at train stations, he said.

Mr Blunkett said: "Tackling anti-social behaviour on housing estates and on the streets of the most difficult areas is key to addressing the fear of crime and reinforcing the task of communities to build securer and safer neighbourhoods."

The new proposals to "update and slim down" existing ASBOs include: