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Asbos viewed as 'badge of honour' Asbos viewed as 'badge of honour'
(about 2 hours later)
Anti-social behaviour orders (Asbos) have become a "badge of honour" among young people, says an official study.Anti-social behaviour orders (Asbos) have become a "badge of honour" among young people, says an official study.
Many tackling youth offending doubted their effectiveness and some teenagers saw them as glamorous, said research for the Youth Justice Board.Many tackling youth offending doubted their effectiveness and some teenagers saw them as glamorous, said research for the Youth Justice Board.
The year-long study in England and Wales said half the Asbos were broken.The year-long study in England and Wales said half the Asbos were broken.
But Home Office minister Tony McNulty said Asbos were used sparingly and only as a last resort to change behaviour that was badly disrupting communities.But Home Office minister Tony McNulty said Asbos were used sparingly and only as a last resort to change behaviour that was badly disrupting communities.
Mr McNulty said only 7,000 Asbos had been given out by the end of last year.Mr McNulty said only 7,000 Asbos had been given out by the end of last year.
I know a boy that is hell-bent on getting an Asbo because he feels left out Mother UK youths 'worst in Europe' Q&A: Asbos
"Our communities have the right not to be constantly abused by anti-social behaviour," he said."Our communities have the right not to be constantly abused by anti-social behaviour," he said.
I know a boy that is hell-bent on getting an Asbo because he feels left out Mother UK youths 'worst in Europe'
"There is much we are doing with young children to try and prevent that but let's not demonise a whole generation. We are talking very, very small numbers.""There is much we are doing with young children to try and prevent that but let's not demonise a whole generation. We are talking very, very small numbers."
The research conducted by the Policy Research Bureau and crime reduction charity Nacro looked at Asbos given to under-18s between January 2004 and January 2005 in 10 areas of England and Wales.The research conducted by the Policy Research Bureau and crime reduction charity Nacro looked at Asbos given to under-18s between January 2004 and January 2005 in 10 areas of England and Wales.
Of 137 young people, 67 had breached their order at least once, 42 more than once and six on six occasions or more.Of 137 young people, 67 had breached their order at least once, 42 more than once and six on six occasions or more.
"High levels of breach had led some sentencers to question how much impact Asbos were having on the behaviour of individual young people," the study said."High levels of breach had led some sentencers to question how much impact Asbos were having on the behaviour of individual young people," the study said.
ASBOs BY REGION Greater Manchester - 1,045Greater London - 745West Midlands - 554Lancashire - 279Nottinghamshire - 206 Source: Home Office (1999-2005) Reaction to Asbo study Summary: Asbo Research Most computers will open PDF documents automatically, but you may need to download Adobe Acrobat Reader.
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"A considerable number of respondents alluded to the potential for the order to become glamorous," it added."A considerable number of respondents alluded to the potential for the order to become glamorous," it added.
Early intervention
Asbos were introduced by the government in 1999 to impose conditions on a person's behaviour and breaking one can lead to jail.Asbos were introduced by the government in 1999 to impose conditions on a person's behaviour and breaking one can lead to jail.
Youth Justice Board chairman Professor Rod Morgan urged the police, councils and courts to only issue an Asbo to a young person if working with the family had not worked.Youth Justice Board chairman Professor Rod Morgan urged the police, councils and courts to only issue an Asbo to a young person if working with the family had not worked.
HAVE YOUR SAY The problem with a lot of teenagers is that they are led to believe that they can have what they want Brian Agnew, UK Send us your comments
One district judge told researchers young people who breached orders were not properly punished.One district judge told researchers young people who breached orders were not properly punished.
"You would increase the (prison) population enormously if we... enforced Asbos fully," he said. And parents and carers of the young people given orders said an Asbo was now viewed as a "diploma" that boosted a child's street credibility.
Parents and carers of the young people given orders said an Asbos was now viewed as a "diploma" that boosted a child's street credibility.
"Some of the friends are left out now because they are not on an Asbo," said the mother of three young men who were all on Asbos."Some of the friends are left out now because they are not on an Asbo," said the mother of three young men who were all on Asbos.
"I know a boy that is hell-bent on getting an Asbo because he feels left out." HAVE YOUR SAY The problem with a lot of teenagers is that they are led to believe that they can have what they want Brian Agnew, UK href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?threadID=4624&edition=2&ttl=20061101221357" class="">Send us your comments
Parents say Asbos boost a child's street credibility
One police officer said exclusion zones had become a game for youngsters to "run over the imaginary line and then run away from the police".
Shadow home secretary David Davis said the study highlighted the government's "total failure to tackle crime" and Asbos were no more than a gimmick.Shadow home secretary David Davis said the study highlighted the government's "total failure to tackle crime" and Asbos were no more than a gimmick.
Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman Nick Clegg said the prime minister was "demonising" young people through the Asbo system, and what was needed was engagement.Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman Nick Clegg said the prime minister was "demonising" young people through the Asbo system, and what was needed was engagement.
Ethnic fears
Nacro said it was concerned Asbos were being used too readily and there was a "worryingly high" level of applications for Asbos on certain ethnic groups.
The study indicated 22% of young people given Asbos are black or Asian - two and a half times the proportion of people from ethnic minorities in England and Wales.The study indicated 22% of young people given Asbos are black or Asian - two and a half times the proportion of people from ethnic minorities in England and Wales.
The report is published on the same day that a separate study by the Institute for Public Policy Research suggests Britain's youth are among the most badly behaved in Europe.The report is published on the same day that a separate study by the Institute for Public Policy Research suggests Britain's youth are among the most badly behaved in Europe.
They surpassed most other countries in categories such as drugs, drink, violence and promiscuity - a fact researchers believe can be explained by a collapse in family and community life in the UK. Researchers believe this can be explained by a collapse in family and community life in the UK.