COUNCILLORS met police to discuss plans to give officers more power to combat anti-social behaviour (ASB).

Members of Barrow Borough Council's Labour group attended a briefing with police officers to hear about public space protection orders.

The order, due to be voted on soon by councillors, would give officers more ways of sanctioning troublemakers.

Alec Proffitt, councillor for the Central ward, said: "While its important for residents to understand the new powers are no silver bullet in tackling ASB, I strongly believe that they could provide police with a tangible option of short term enforcement to compliment the excellent community engagement work they deliver across the borough. In these days of significantly reduced funding for both local government and local policing, anything which helps lock-in partnership working between the council and police is an opportunity we should grasp."