Anti-social behaviour rates in Tower Hamlets are the second highest in London, new figures have revealed.

More than 17,000 incidents of anti-social behaviour (ASB) were recorded by police in the borough in 2012 - amounting to 68 incidents per 1,000 people.

Now MPs are calling on the government to do a u-turn on plans to scrap controversial Anti-Social Behaviour Orders (ASBOs), which were first introduced in 1998.

MP for Poplar and Limehouse Jim Fitzpatrick said: “Anti-social behaviour is still a

big problem in Tower Hamlets and it’s going to get worse with cuts to policing and young people out of work.

“These figures show there’s a lot more work to do to ensure local people feel safe in their neighbourhood. People have the right to expect action right away and help to tackle an issue which is a huge worry”, he added.

Only Westminster had a higher rate of ASB than Tower Hamlets, with nightlife hotspots such as Soho accounting for many reports.

Across London the average rate of ASB is substantially lower, with 43 incidents recorded per 1,000 people in 2012.