Measures to fight anti-social behaviour given new impetus despite criticism

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