CUTTING crime on Swindon's streets will be high on the agenda of parties in the wake of polling day as the town battles to control drug dealing, graffiti and anti-social behaviour in the town centre.

Both Labour and Liberal Democrats in the town give different reasons to blame the Tory-led council for some of Swindon's problems.

Liberal Democrat leader Stan Pajak says poor planning has led to a density of pubs in the town centre making it a no-go area.

And Labour leader Kevin Small accuses the council of not using the powers available to it to curb anti-social behaviour.

He believes extra policing measures are already making a difference.

He said: "Petty crime and vandalism and other forms of anti-social behaviour are still a major concern in Swindon. However, crime rates are falling.

"Thanks to the Labour Government this is now being done with the new neighbourhood policing teams.

"These new policing teams, along with improved CCTV technology which a Labour council will introduce, will help to address these concerns. Also unlike the present Tory-led council, Labour would use the powers given to it by the Government and work with law enforcement agencies to stamp out crime and anti-social behaviour, making our communities a safer and better place to live."

But the Liberal Democrats are calling for even more policing on the streets.

Leader Stan Pajak said: "We believe the police should be given extra resources and freed from excessive paperwork to allow not only a greater presence on the streets but more time for intelligence operations to tackle organised drug dealing and crime.

"A greater police presence may help to tackle violent disorder on our streets, but the council has a role to design out' these problems. The present council has designed in' such problems, for example by concentrating so many pubs and clubs at the bottom of town centre, making it a no-go area at night for many of us."

Swindon Council leader Roderick Bluh said the town has had some success in tackling graffiti at least.

He said: "What is described as anti-social behaviour is often criminal behaviour and we must all work together to protect our quality of life. We have to address the root causes rather than spending endless time, energy and resources dealing with the results. Our ongoing graffiti campaign, offering rewards for information, has already made a significant difference."

In contrast the UK Independent Party sees little reason to celebrate.

Stephen Halden, chairman of UKIP Swindon, said: "Britain has gone soft on crime. It would help deter criminals if more policemen were on the beat, because at the moment the streets have been taken over by bullies and hoodie gangs.

"The EU Human Rights Acts needs to be abolished because it gives criminals more rights than anyone else.

"UKIP believes in a policy of zero tolerance of crime. This means that vandalism and petty crime is punished very severely to deter other forms of criminal behaviour."

The Green Party believes the police need to be out on the streets to patrol properly.

Bill Hughes, chairman of the Green Party in Swindon, said: "Policing should be community- based - they need to get out of their cars and helicopters and patrol on foot and cycle. Every household must be advised on basic security measures.

"Streets should be bustling with people not choked by traffic. Crime needs to be seen in a wider social context. We need to ensure fulfilling opportunities for young people and the training and retraining of adults.

"There needs to be a de-emphasis on the cut throat competitiveness of materialist society and development of a better quality of life in the borough."