Peter Hain has urged Welsh councils to make the most of new powers to tackle anti-social behaviour.

Speaking during a tour of Cardiff on Monday, the Welsh secretary said it was time to take tough action against "yobs who can make ordinary life a misery for hard working families".

Hain was set to hear about local initiatives that have seen council, police, health and employment services work together to tackle issues  including noise, the racing of stolen cars, graffiti and rubbish tipping.

And new measures that came in to force at the start of this month will allow environmental health officers to close noisy licensed premises and issue penalty notices for graffiti and fly-posting.

Local authorities can also start prosecuting breaches of anti-social behaviour orders.

"We are cracking down on the yobs who can make ordinary life a misery for hard working families," said Hain.

"A lot of good work is going on to keep our streets safer, and I am determined that we all work together to reduce crime and the fear of crime.

"Labour is giving the police and local authorities the tools to do the job, and I call on all involved to make use of them."