The number of ASBOs issued in Wales should not be the measure of how well police forces are tackling anti-social behaviour, a committee of MPs has warned.

The findings came in a Commons Welsh affairs committee report on police, crime and anti-social behaviour in Wales.

It found many forces have introduced early interventions to prevent anti-social behaviour and only use ASBOs as a last resort.

But the focus on ASBO figures means police who use other methods are not being credited with success.

The report, published on Wednesday, says the current system is "crude and discriminates against forces that have developed other initiatives to reduce anti-social behaviour".

Committee chairman Martyn Jones said: "ASBOs are one important part of the police's arsenal, but there are other parts that have not yet been acknowledged.

"Credit should be given where it is due and that means the government must recognise that the number of ASBOs issued doesn't automatically equate to levels of success on the ground."

Clearer definition

The report calls on government to introduce a new measurement which takes account of other methods.

MPs also want the government to establish a clearer definition of anti-social behaviour so it can be combated more effectively, and clearer guidelines for magistrates so ASBOs can be issued more quickly.

Other points highlighted in the report are the relationship between the Home Office and the National Assembly for Wales, which it says needs to be more "structured and systematic".

The committee concludes that overall, Welsh police forces are performing well and it welcomes the introduction of local targets in the National policing plan.

However, it recommends the government introduce a streamlined approach to measuring performance, to relieve police of the pressure of data collection.

And it also wants to see more reliable funding streams for both Community Safety Partnerships in Wales.