Support orders for Asbos rarely used

Measures that are supposed to address the underlying causes of bad behaviour and which should accompany Asbos are rarely used, according to new research.

Individual support orders, which are meant to be given to young people with Asbos who are not receiving tailored support, were only issued seven times to 10 to 17-year-olds from May to December 2004, while more than 600 Asbos were issued, says children’s charity NCH.

NCH policy officer George McNamara said the poor take-up of the orders could be down to costs.

A Home Office spokesperson said the government had announced extra funding for ISOs in June, so they could be used more widely in the future.