The number of Anti-Social Behaviour Orders (ASBOs) issued to tackle yob behaviour has more than doubled since March last year, according to statistics highlighted by the Prime Minister.
Detailed figures compiled by the Home Office show that communities up and down the country are using powers brought in by the Government to fight back against louts, to help reclaim their neighbourhoods for the benefit of the law abiding. More than 2,400 ASBOs have been issued across England and Wales since they were introduced in 1999 with 1,323 taken out in the year to March 2004.
On a visit to an estate in Harlow, Essex, the Prime Minister said: "Anti-social behaviour can ruin neighbourhoods and make life a misery for decent, hard-working families. That is why we have given local communities the powers they need to enforce respect on the streets. There remains much to do, but police and councils are using those powers – up 117 per cent in last year – the public are coming together and the louts are on notice. ASBOs, Acceptable Behaviour Contracts, Fixed Penalty Notices, dispersal orders, closing crack houses, controlling fireworks, clamping down on graffiti and litter – they can help those that play by the rules beat those that don’t. But we must use them. The national strategy to tackle anti-social behaviour and the ‘Together’ campaign has seen communities and agencies coming together across the country to take a stand against ASB. It is having a real effect. Crime is down, the chances of being a victim of crime is at its lowest for 20 years and for the first time in years people’s fear of crime and of ASB is moving in the right direction. But we can and will redouble our efforts. Together we can beat it."
The PM was visiting the Potter Street estate in Harlow, which has had problems with anti-social behaviour but is making good use of the powers available to them. The police and council have used dispersal orders, acceptable behaviour contracts, ASBOs. Record numbers of ASBOs are being issued across the country with: 422 issued in Greater Manchester since 1999 – up 232 per cent since 31 March 2003; 59 issued in Liverpool – up 139 per cent ; 122 issued in Leeds – up 430 per cent ; 48 issued in the London borough of Camden – up 182 per cent .
ASBOs were introduced by the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 and streamlined in 2002 and 2003 to make it easier for local police and councils to use them. They are one of a range of powers the Government has introduced to crack down on anti-social behaviour including powers to close crack houses and issue dispersal orders to groups causing trouble. To ensure these powers are used, the Government launched a national strategy and ‘Together’ campaign a year ago. The Government claims it has already produced results, transforming communities and improving quality of life for law-abiding citizens.
