Minimum term for Asbos to be halved

Antisocial behaviour orders issued to young people will be reviewed after one year instead of the current two, the government has announced.

Home Office minister Hazel Blears said its move to issue the orders for a minimum 12 months recognised that patterns of behaviour could change “significantly” in a year.

The change of heart follows calls from campaigners and the Youth Justice Board for a cut in the minimum Asbo term for young people.

Meanwhile, the use of Asbos continues to rise, according to government figures. There were 918 orders issued from April to June 2005, up 1 per cent on the previous quarter.

The Home Office is expected to publish an action plan on its “Respect” agenda early next year, which is understood to have replaced the previously announced Respect Bill.