UP to £112,000 could be spent on recruiting three legal staff to bolster the city's battle against antisocial behaviour and nuisance.

Council housing bosses are asking for reinforcements to help tackle more than 120 cases of antisocial behaviour in York homes.

Members of the Tenancy Enforcement Team (TFT), which deals with issues such as noise, intimidation and unpleasant behaviour, say the extra staff would enable them to deal with 15 more cases at any time.

They are asking for an additional enforcement officer, a legal assistant and a part-time administration assistant in legal services.

The council team already has three members who are supported by an antisocial behaviour co-ordinator at the Safer York Partnership.

Coun Sue Sunderland, executive member for housing, will meet the housing advisory panel on November 3 to decide whether to grant the funding boost.

In recent weeks the Evening Press has reported how seven phone boxes in Tang Hall were torn apart by massive fireworks and amateur arsonists poured inflammable liquid down drains and set them alight.

Council leader Steve Galloway has also stepped up the fight against graffiti in the city, saying he couldnot understand what drove people to deface the city's historical heritage.

Updated: 11:20 Monday, October 27, 2003