A SCHEME to curb anti-social behaviour in one of a town's most troubled areas is set to be launched - after more than 500 incidents were reported to police in a two-year period.

Barrow Borough Council's executive committee agreed to work towards selective licensing of private landlords in Egerton Court, Barrow Island, to tackle "persistent anti-social and nuisance behaviour".

The council's executive director, Phil Huck, told the committee yesterday: "It is a massive issue which has caused despair not just to other people in Egerton Court but to Barrow Island itself and the regeneration of Barrow Island."

In his report to the committee Mr Huck said: "In the two-year period starting in February 2014, the police log showed over 500 recorded incidents. Apart from the considerable neighbourhood nuisance that this pattern of behaviour is causing, it is undermining the efforts to regenerate the area more generally."

Mr Huck said one difficulty is that the 144 privately-rented flats have "many different owners". He said the council wants to introduce a selective licensing scheme for Egerton Court "to improve the standard of housing management in the area", and "reduce the incidence of anti-social behaviour."

He told councillors that the scheme had mainly been used in larger cities and that the council would have the demonstrate that the area meets the criteria, which includes a significant and persistent problem caused by anti-social behaviour, high levels of deprivation and high levels of crime.

The council would devise appropriate licence conditions and ensure all landlords meet the conditions to hold a licence.

Mr Huck said it is a long process and the situation in Egerton Court is "so sufficiently serious" that the council would create a temporary position to carry out the selective licensing.

Councillor Kevin Hamilton said there is high turnover of people in Egerton Court, but that not all residents were involved in this behaviour.

Cllr Hamilton said: "Let's get the ball rolling."

After the meeting, council leader and executive committee chairman, Councillor Dave Pidduck, said: "I hope this is a way forward for the people of Barrow Island who have put up with this for far too long."

The matter is due to be heard at the full council meeting next month.