THE Prime Minister met Canning Town residents last Thursday and spoke to them about their experiences of crime and anti-social behaviour.

Mr Blair made a surprise visit to the Hub community centre in Star Lane, accompanied by London Mayor Ken Livingstone and Hazel Blears, Minister for Crime and Policing.

The Prime Minister arrived in Canning Town by Tube, having taken the Jubilee Line from Westminster.

After a short walkabout, he spent around an hour at the centre.

Shopkeepers told him about a radio scheme set up by Newham Council and the police which enables them to keep each other informed about shoplifters or troublemakers in the area.

They said the scheme had improved security for businesses, and many said they had noticed an increased police presence on the streets.

However some criticised the courts for not punishing repeat offenders heavily enough, sending out a message that low-level crime was not taken seriously.

One resident told Mr Blair he would like to see police given powers across Newham to disperse groups of youths.

Previous temporary dispersal zones for anti-social behaviour were welcomed by those present.

Another suggested police could be given the authority to back up parents who grounded their children.

Mr Blair said: "I think the comments were balanced. There were a lot of improvements with police but there are concerns that the courts do not follow through.

"The general message was that law and order has improved."

However overall crime recorded in Newham for the 12 months leading up to March this year is around seven per cent higher than for the previous 12 months.

Robbery has gone up by 30 per cent over the same period, and burglary, gun crime and motor vehicle crimes have all risen significantly.

The number of drugs offences in Newham is around 80 per cent higher than it was last year.

Mr Blair said: "If you look at the overall crime picture, it has fallen in London overall.

"When Newham gets its new Safer Neighbourhoods teams, they have got powers to pick people up, and we have got to make sure these are used.

"People will notice a big difference when these teams are in place."

He said dispersal zones had already led to an increase in trade for local businesses as customers were less afraid to go out, particularly after dark.

Newham Mayor Sir Robin Wales joined Mr Blair and Mr Livingstone in a discussion on the 2012 Olympics.

Mr Livingstone predicted a best-ever medal haul for Britain in 2012, and said this would boost British sport in the long term.

Sir Robin said the Olympics were giving the council the chance to put money into sport, and this was leading to a reduction in young people going to court for the first time.

Mr Blair commended Sir Robin Wales, and pronounced himself a "big fan" of the elected mayor system, which his Government introduced in 1999.

Asked if he would take the results of today's local elections as a comment on his own performance in office, Mr Blair told the press: "I'll leave that for you to decide."