Strong action on antisocial behaviour

2.28.00pm GMT Fri 1st Dec 2006

Anti social behaviour in an area of Milton Keynes city centre dropped dramatically following a campaign against drunks.

Ten Anti Social Behaviour Orders (asbos) were issued by the courts in March to stop an escalation of drink related problems in Lloyds Court area of the city centre.

Now a like for like comparison for the period from June to September 2005 to the same period in 2006 has shown reported disorder incidents fall from 44 to just 5 in the Lloyd Court area following the anti social behaviour campaign. And in a recent appeal case lodged by three of the people issued with asbos disputing the orders at Lloyds Court, magistrates at Aylesbury Crown Court dismissed the appeal leaving the orders in force.

However, in some areas in the UK, the overuse of asbos has led some members of local communities to dub them 'badges of honour'. Yet locally only 25 full asbos have been put in place over the last three years.

Milton Keynes Community Safety partnership officers believe their policy to issue asbos as 'a last resort' has been vindicated by a recent National Audit Office (NAO) report. The report revealed that 55% of asbo orders were breached with some authorities such as Manchester and London issuing more than 1,000 orders each.

The NAO looked at the impact of three of the most common interventions used to stop anti-social behaviour: warning letters from the police, costing £63 to administer; acceptable behaviour contracts; and asbos, which cost more than £3,000. The report found about two-thirds of people who received letters or acceptable behaviour contracts did not misbehave again.

Robin Vitiello, police partnership inspector, said: "This news vindicates our position on the use of asbos. We have always taken the view of using a raft of methods including community mediation, warning letters and acceptable behaviour contracts.

"We have also found that organising joint visits to perpetrators works as well. In some cases for example, perpetrators can risk their housing tenancy if they continue to cause disorder in the community. I am pleased that when we decide on a rare occasions to use asbos they prove effective as the reduction in anti social behaviour and the positive comments from local traders in the Lloyd Court area goes to show."

Cllr Irene Henderson, council cabinet member responsible for Community Safety, said: "I am delighted that we are using the right approach and dealing with every case on its merits to cope with what has become one of the plagues on modern society.

"Anti social behaviour is something we care passionately about reducing because of the effect it has on the quality of life in our community."

Home Office figures show there were 4,060 asbos issued in 2005 - a rise of 18% on 2004.