The Home Office issued new guidance to maximise the use of
antisocial behaviour orders this week, despite evidence that the
orders are costly, cumbersome and difficult to enforce.
The new guidance, published under the Police Reform Act 2002 and
backed by the Association of Chief Police Officers, aims to
simplify the ASBO application process and extend the power to apply
to other agencies.
But a review of research published this week by rehabilitation
charity Nacro reveals that more than one third of ASBOs were
breached within the first nine months of issue. On average each
ASBO cost more than £5,000 to enforce and took longer than
three months to obtain.
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"ASBOs can work but they undoubtedly work better if they take into
account local circumstances," said Nacro policy officer Rachel
Armitage. "ASBOs can only ever prohibit behaviour. We must also
realise that there are proactive ways for communities to prevent it
arising in the first place."
The report calls for a more holistic approach that combines
enforcement with preventive initiatives tailored to local
conditions.
- Nacro report from 020 7501 0555.
