The home office has issued new guidance to maximise the use of anti-social behaviour orders despite new evidence that the orders are costly, cumbersome and difficult to enforce, writes Clare Jerrom.
The new guidance, published under the Police Reform Act 2002 and backed by the Association of Chief Police Officers, aims to simplify the process of applying for an ASBO and extending the power to other agencies
But a review of research published by rehabilitation charity Nacro reveals that over one third of all ASBOs were breached within the first nine months of issue. The average ASBO cost more than £5,000 to enforce and took over three months to obtain.
Nacro policy officer Rachel Armitage said: "ASBOs can only ever prohibit behaviour. We must also realise that there are pro-active ways for communities to prevent it from arising in the first place."
The Nacro report is available from 020 7501 0555
