Manchester has by far the most anti-social behaviour orders, ASBOs, issued, according to the latest Home Office figures, available on the crime reduction website www.crimereduction.gov.uk
The inner city district of Gorton in December saw its first full anti-social behaviour orders.<br>The ASBOs – one lasting six years against a 12-year-old boy and the other against a 17-year-old youth lasting for five years – are part of ‘Our Streets Our Voice’, a combined Manchester City Council and Greater Manchester Police campaign tackling anti-social behaviour in the area.<br><br>The ASBOs against the boy, from Gorton, and Simon Scollins of Abbey Hey Lane, Gorton, follow a dispersal order and street drinking ban imposed as part of the operation. More youths are being targeted with possible ASBOs into 2006, the MCC and police report.<br><br>Magistrates found the order was necessary against Scollins after the council provided police evidence showing that he had been involved in criminal activity – mainly taking and stealing cars and breaking and entering premises to get at car keys – dating back nearly four years. Scollins was 13 when anti-social behaviour was first logged against him, and he received a police reprimand. He was also arrested in May after threatening a police officer with violence during a police search for drugs among a group of youths in Openshaw.<br><br>The 12-year-old has been mainly involved in vandalism – breaking vehicle windows and windscreens with bricks and hammers dating back to June, 2003. In April this year he was spotted driving a stolen vehicle erratically in the north Reddish area of Stockport.<br><br>In a separate incident in November, 2004, the boy and other youths he was with were taken to hospital for check-ups when they played with aluminium powder after entering the premises of a colours and chemicals company in Waterhouse Road, Gorton. They had been igniting the powder and throwing it at each other. In July this year he was involved with the police again when he forced his way into a car in Sandown Crescent, Gorton, and stole a radio/cd player.<br><br>About the order<br><br>The boy’s order prevents him from using abusive and insulting language or behaviour in public; engaging in behaviour causing or likely to cause someone to fear for their safety or that of their property; carrying or using any article made or adapted as a weapon or any article that could be used as a weapon; entering any house or building without the clear permission of the owner; and driving any motor vehicle, including a motorcycle, when he is legally able to do so, unless he has the owner’s permission and is legally documented.<br><br>Scollins faces similar driving restrictions under his order and also faces restrictions in regard to being carried as a passenger in any vehicle. For example, the driver must give his permission and be aged over 25. There are exemptions for driving lessons, taxis, police vehicles, and for health, welfare, social or leisure services reasons.<br><br>He is also banned from using abusive and insulting language and behaviour; conduct causing or likely to cause someone to fear for their safety or that of their property; and unlawfully entering a house or building.<br><br>What they say<br><br>The Executive Member for Housing on Manchester City Council, Councillor Eddy Newman, said: "These orders are designed to protect people and property in the Gorton area and surrounding districts from the activities of these young people. They are orders with real teeth – break them and you will end up in court again and could face a custodial sentence. ‘Our Streets Our Voice’ is a campaign that aims to make a real change for the better in Gorton. But we rely on people prepared to come forward to give us as much information as possible so that we can continue to take legal action against these delinquents. Any witnesses will be given as much support and protection as possible."<br>Gorton’s Area Inspector, Mark Kenny, said: "ASBOs are just one tool that we can use to try and stop an individual from using unacceptable behaviour in Gorton. They are used for those individuals who do not heed the warnings that have been given to them by the police and the City Council regarding their behaviour. The message is very clear – if you continue with your behaviour, you will be arrested and brought before the courts, with a custodial sentence being a real possibility."<br><br>Police and the council add that the Our Streets Our Voice campaign was launched in the summer in Gorton and Levenshulme. The campaign is funded through the multi-agency Anti-Social Behaviour Theme Group using cash from the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund.<br><br><br>Separately, two 14 year old boys from Beswick have been served with full anti-social behaviour orders after admitting setting fire to ‘The Clock Face’ Public House in May and throwing bricks at moving vehicles in Beswick. According to evidence presented by East Manchester Neighbour Nuisance Team in partnership with Eastlands Homes and Manchester City Council, a local taxi firm was their main target and a significant amount of damage was caused to vehicles and on one occasion a passenger was injured and required hospital treatment.<br><br>The East Manchester Neighbour Nuisance Team in partnership with Eastlands Homes and Manchester City Council secured the anti-social behaviour orders on the boys for three and five years.<br><br>Sheila Doran, Chief Executive of Eastlands Homes said: "The East Manchester Neighbour Nuisance Team has done an excellent job in gathering evidence to secure ASBOs on these two young men. It is particularly pleasing that, for the first time in Manchester, we have managed to prevent an arsonist from carrying petrol under an ASBO. Eastlands Homes its partners will continue to take a very tough stance against members of the community who ruin the quality of life for others in their neighbourhood."
