A community policing "hit squad" targeting areas suffering from increased crime and antisocial behaviour could be set up in Lambeth.

The 21-strong team of Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) would be deployed together "to wipe out the problem in areas which see a surge in antisocial behaviour", according to Lambeth Council leader Steve Reed.

He said: "We know crime and antisocial behaviour are a key concern for residents.

"When an area sees an increase in crime, the hit squad would be able to target the area for several weeks until the problem was wiped out. Then it could move on."

The floating police are a manifesto promise of the Lambeth Labour party if it retains control at the upcoming elections on May 6.

Labour also promises to cut down on antisocial behaviour - especially among disaffected young people - by continuing the same investment in the council's youth service, despite predictions of a 20 per cent loss in its total budget.

It has promised to increase youth activities - including sports, youth centres, and vocational courses - until they take place within a mile of every home.

Coun Reed said: "There are kids on our estates who see drug dealing as the only way out.

"These services will not only give them something to take them away from crime, but could provide ways out through a vocation or career."

Labour also promises a major £30m investment in fixing all sub-standard roads and pavements, that it intends to fund by selling a council building in central London.

It also promises free swimming for every resident - though the majority will be during off-peak times.

Coun Reed said he was confident of avoiding significant cuts to frontline services by automating more systems. He said loss of staff was inevitable when faced with a loss in funding, but this would be by "ironing out backroom inefficiencies".

He said the John Lewis council concept announced last month - where council tax rebates could be offered to residents in exchange for helping to run services - would also cut costs, and improve community cohesion and pride.

He said: "Less money for local government means its time to reevaluate the boundaries of resident and state, and getting users involved in putting together the services they want, rather than there having to be cuts."