CALLS for tougher punishments for yobs have received backing.

Tory leader David Cameron said magistrates should be given powers to jail offenders for a year, instead of the current six-month limit, as they deal with most low-level antisocial crime.

He also demanded wider use of powers, which courts already have, to ban young offenders from holding or applying for a driving licence.

Dave Blackwell, leader of Canvey Independent Party, said: "I back what he's saying 100 per cent. If you talk to the people of Canvey, who have suffered so much vandalism this year, the vast majority will agree.

"If the powers-that-be don't sort it out, there's a danger people will take things into their own hands."

Nigel Holdcroft, Conservative leader of Southend Council, backed increasing magistrates' powers.

He said: "Although we're having success in reducing crime levels in Southend, there will always be a minority of people who want to ruin it for everyone else. Increasing sentences for this level of crime would surely be a far better deterrent."

Stephen Hillier, cabinet member on Basildon Council, said: "Antisocial behaviour certainly needs looking at properly and it's right we should consider all sorts of alternatives to deal with it."

Cheryl Milton-White, antisocial behaviour officer at Rochford District Council, said: "We welcome any initiatives or tools that would help us prevent and stop individuals behaving in an anti-social manner."