Decline in antisocial behaviour orders

11:00am Sunday 11th May 2008

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THE number of antisocial behaviour orders issued by Sussex courts has fallen for the second year running.

Just 73 asbos were handed out in the county in 2006, according to new figures released by the Home Office. This is down from 95 in 2005 and 97 in 2004.

Asbos, introduced in 1999, are civil sanctions which can be imposed on anyone aged ten upwards to protect a community from behaviour that causes alarm or distress.

The order can be sought by police or local authorities and last at least two years, prohibiting offenders from committing specific antisocial acts, going to certain areas or hanging out with other troublemakers.

They have come under fire because so many are flouted, even though breaching an asbo is a criminal offence and can lead to a prison sentence of up to five years.

In Sussex, 52 asbos were breached for the first time in 2006. Of the 322 imposed since 1999, 172 have been breached at least once.

Nationally, the number of asbos slapped on yobs fell more than a third from 4,123 to 2,706 over the same period.

Critics say asbos have become a 'badge of honour' among some young people.

Last week, Home Secretary Jacqui Smith insisted the decline of the asbo did not mean the Government had given up the fight against antisocial behaviour.

Instead, she said, authorities were embracing alternative measures such as acceptable behaviour contracts, flexible written agreements where young people can pledge to either give up certain behaviour or take part in constructive activity.

Ms Smith, in a speech in London, said: "Where asbos may be applied in fewer cases, it is because we are now stepping in much earlier with acceptable behaviour contracts, parenting orders and individual support orders to nip antisocial behaviour in the bud.

"We are not taking it easy on antisocial behaviour - we are getting in early. These early interventions have increased almost four-fold in the past year, putting a stop to problems before they get out of control and before asbos are required."

Shadow Home Secretary David Davis said: "Despite the Home Office's spin, the real reason the Government are giving up on asbos is because of their appalling breach rate."

Chris Huhne, Liberal Democrat Shadow Home Secretary, said: "Asbos are far more costly and less effective than alternatives such as acceptable behaviour contracts but it has taken ten years and more than 12,000 asbos for ministers to recognise their mistake."