New ASBO powers in the pipeline

Courts will be able to require people subject to anti-social
behaviour orders to undergo drug treatment under plans being
developed by the government.

And in a further extension of powers under the Anti-Social
Behaviour Act, parish councils will soon be able to issue fixed
penalty notices for offences such as dog-fouling, graffiti,
fly-posting, night time noise and littering, Home Secretary David
Blunkett has announced.

There has been a big increase in the use of ASBOs, with 2633
issued in the 12 months to September 2004 according to government
estimates. Acceptable Behaviour Contracts have been more widely
used, with 5393 reported in the year to September Latest figures
show that a total of 3069 ASBOs were issued in England and Wales
over the four year period from April 1999 to June this year. Only
42 application have been refused by the courts.