ASBOs, young people and re-offending

8.26.00pm GMT Mon 16th Jan 2006

Commenting on the statistic that more than half of the ASBOs in Brighton and Hove, are breached, Liberal Democrat City Councillor Paul Elgood said:

'The problem wish ASBOs is that they alienate young people and turn them into criminals rather than trying to address the serious issues they may face, such as drug taking and truancy.

"ASBOs can be a useful tool in cutting crime and tackling anti-social behaviour, but they can only be truly effective if they are matched by long-term measures to change behaviour and stop re-offending.

"Record numbers of ASBOs do not mean the streets are any safer. Too often an ASBO is not a real solution to offensive behaviour.

"Victims of crime and anti-social behaviour deserve policies which offer long-term solutions not quick fixes."

The statistics show that of the 73 active ASBOs in place in Brighton & Hove since 1st April, have been breached 42 times.

The comments come in the face of Brighton and Hove Tory Councillor Peter Willows who has

called for a much more 'stern' approach, calling for 'these young criminals to be sent to youth prisons'.