Antisocial behaviour orders need a rethink. That is the unsurprising conclusion of the latest research into the controversial orders, introduced six years ago to stop people repeatedly engaging in activities deemed to be antisocial.
The Youth Justice Board-commisisoned research finds that, despite professionals being clear about the importance of making asbos targeted and realistic, in reality they are often so prescriptive they actually make non-compliance likely. The result: more young people with criminal records and a greater chance of them ending up in custody.
Most people agree that asbos have a role to play. However, if we want to ensure that they are used appropriately, it is fundamental for youth offending teams to be integral to the decision-making processes about when and how to impose them. Yet, in many areas, this is still not happening.
It is no coincidence that the research finds that greater Yot involvement in decision-making tends to be associated with lower asbo use.