SCEPTICAL residents in Sidcup are waiting to be convinced policing will improve in their area after April 1.

At a meeting called by Lamorbey Residents' Association to discuss policing, they were told what to expect when Safer Neighbourhoods policing reaches the town.

Their new police team, initially a sergeant, PC and two Police Community Support Officers (PCSO), will be based at Sidcup police station in Main Road and will be joined by another PC and PCSO by September.

One of the main concerns is anti-social behaviour committed by young people, many of whom residents claim come from outside the borough.

People wanted to know whether the police team would be able to deal with young people from outside Bexley, who they say use parks in the area for drug taking.

Some residents were angry London Mayor Ken Livingstone had given young people free travel on the buses, which they said made it easier for them to move around the area and cause trouble.

They also expressed dismay at the lack of action over damage caused by youngsters on the buses.

One resident blamed "idiot magistrates" for lenient sentences and said a zero-tolerance policy should be adopted.

Glynis Rogers, from Bexley's Community Safety Partnership, said money had been set aside by the council and other groups to provide activities to try and keep youngsters off the streets and out of trouble.

Sector police inspector Dick Weaver said police would be able to liaise with neighbouring boroughs to deal with mobile groups of youths.

He said under the new system, people in the area would decide what the policing priorities for Sidcup ward would be.

And he addded residents and businesses would be able to hold the police to account if action was not taken.

The first members of the Sidcup ward police team will take up their duties on April 1.

All homes and businesses in the ward will be surveyed to voice any concerns.

In June, residents can meet police at "have a say" days.

And in late June it is hoped a residents' panel will be set up for the ward, to allow volunteer residents to decide what problems they want police to tackle.