Those on the receiving end of antisocial behaviour in Oxford have been given a new weapon in their fight against thugs and vandals.

Oxford City Council has launched Night-time Nuisance Hotline on which the vulnerable can get "professional antisocial behaviour advice and support" not available from a 999 call.

The hotline goes through to the city council's 24-hour control centre in Barton, which then pages the Crime and Nuisance Action Team (Canact) officer who has the responsibility of responding to the caller within 30 minutes. To date, all calls have been responded to within half an hour.

A city council spokesman said: "Antisocial behaviour is not always a criminal act, and this is why the 999 number is not always appropriate.

"We offer a professional antisocial behaviour advice and support service over the phone to support vulnerable and oppressed people.

"You would not get this service from a 999 contact centre operative.

"In an emergency, however, members of the public should obviously call the 999 number.

"We offer a professional 24-hour antisocial behaviour advice service over the phone, but do not visit the callers in person.

"As well as offering advice and support, we also put the caller in contact with other 24-hour services, which are relevant to the individual case, and pursue the case when in the office the following day."

Earlier this year, the Oxford Mail revealed that fewer people were being caught breaking antisocial behaviour orders (Asbos) in Oxfordshire than across the rest of the country.

Figures showed that of 55 Asbos given to people in Oxfordshire between 2000 and 2005, only 19 were charged with breaching the orders - a rate of 34 per cent.

In Oxford, the proportion was lower.

Forty-one Asbos were made, with 13 breaches - or 31 per cent, compared with a national, and Thames Valley, average of 47 per cent.

Oxford's Deputy Lord Mayor, Stephen Tall, said: "Antisocial behaviour is a fact of life, although I think we should be very careful about talking it up to the point where those who feel vulnerable are too afraid to live their lives as they would wish to.

"Abusive behaviour which intimidates can be pretty frightening if you're on the receiving end."

Night-time antisocial behaviour in Oxford should be reported to the Night-time Nuisance Hotline on 01865 742138.