Council leaders have welcomed new figures showing they have met their target of reducing crime and disorder in the borough by 17 per cent.

The number of domestic burglaries in Gosport fell by 37 per cent in the past year from 309 to 196. Vehicle thefts dropped by 31 per cent during 2007/08, from 212 to 146.

Gosport Community Safety Partnership set the goal three years ago and ran crime-busting initiatives including PCSOs building relationships with young people.

Council leader Dave Smith said: 'These reductions have involved a lot of hard work on the part of police officers, council staff, schools, probation service, youth workers and others. All involved can be justifiably proud. However, there is no scope for complacency and even greater effort is required to drive levels of crime and disorder down further.'

One award-winning project run by police and Gosport Borough Council last year provided a programme of activities for youngsters during the summer – proving so successful organisers struggled to cope with demand.

This year, new summer passports will give 500 young people between 11 and 17 free access to a whole host of fun. Programmes include freestyle and advance skating, Pimp Your Bike, power kiting, Fun 2 Fish, Busta Move Skateboard, urban dance, rock climbing and Kickz football run by Pompey in the Community coaches.

'These events are great for the young people and do an incredible amount to help reduce crime in our area,' said Cllr Smith.

Community safety officer at the council Carly Northcott said: 'It's about providing activities to prevent people from anti-social behaviour. We can change young people's opinions of the police.'

Events are at Leesland Park, Privett Park, Fort Brockhurst, Bridgemary, Forton Park, Walpole Park, Holbrook Recreation Ground and Bridgemary Community Sports College.

More from www.gosport.gov.uk/sections/community