The proactive partnership, jointly run by the local community and police, is aimed at taking “a robust stance against anyone engaging in anti-community behaviour, particularly over the summer period when incidents of anti-social behaviour can rise”.

The initiative will include high visibility policing in the area during key times, targeting underage drinking and anti-social behaviour and will involve community wardens and close partnership working with the Northern Ireland Housing Executive and Belfast City Council.

The scheme will also focus on working with local off licences to ensure alcohol is not sold to minors or supplied by others over 18. There will be an emphasis on making parents aware of what their children may be involved in, and also engaging with young people in a constructive and proactive manner through a range of activities.

Welcoming the initiative, Councillor Alex Maskey said: "It is almost an annual occurrence now that with the onset of the summer nights my office receives an upsurge in reports of anti-community activity in the Lower Ormeau area.

"While the Lower Ormeau still retains a strong community spirit, local residents have been informing me of regular incidents of under age drinking, and drugs use, abuse of residents, assaults and burglaries. This has left many residents feeling extremely vulnerable and isolated.

"I welcome this initiative particularly as only with community input can policing be effective. We will of course continue to monitor this initiative to assess its effectiveness to the local community."

Superintendent Chris Noble from B District emphasised that much more could be achieved when the police and the community worked together.

"This initiative is what policing with the community is all about,” he said. “We have been liaising closely with the local residents and local representatives to find local solutions to local issues. They have told us that they are worried about anti-social behaviour and crime in the area, particularly over the summer months. So this is about everyone working together to make the area safer and also feel safer.

"It is important to stress that this is not about demonising young people in the area. The vast majority are a credit to the community. But we are aware that there is a small element that are making lives a misery for some people. This is about sending out the message that anti-social and criminal behaviour is unacceptable and that we will tackle it firmly."