Asbo chief rounds on “liberal” critics

Ms Louise Casey, director of the Home Office Anti - Social Behaviour unit, in todays Guradian argues that critics including "youth workers, social workers and the liberal intelligentsia" should accept there is strong public support for the sanctions in addressing "a culture of intimidation". She says critics “are not living in the real world”.

Which is a curious thing to say as ASBO CONCERN (see posts previously) which is the focus of her concern and criticism is supported by over 40 organisation including the National Probation Officers Association, The Howard League for Penal Reform and Liberty.

Chris Stanley, of the National Association for the Care and Resettlement of Offenders (NACRO), said: "Young people don't pre-meditate their crimes and behaviour very often.

"They act on the spur of the moment and they don't think they will end up in custody, so it is not a deterrent. As a result the measure is ineffective."

A new MORI poll on the subject (ordered by BB2) has some fascinating findings which seem to support the results of the recent Rowntree Research Study (see previous posts – which showed 67% of people believe the government's emphasis should be on prevention rather than punishment in tackling antisocial behaviour). Almost half of those questioned by MORI believe the orders are ineffective in preventing people from causing antisocial behaviour. The Mori findings suggest that support for Asbos is strong in part "simply because it highlights that something is being done". While 82% back the orders (including 67% of Guardian readers questioned), only 39% feel they are effective.

But while one in five believes the orders, which apply to children as young as 10 and carry the threat of prison if breached, create more problems than they solve, 70% say they send out a clear message that action will be taken to combat antisocial behaviour.

Ms Casey said "Sometimes I wish people like Asbo Concern and some of the people who write letters to the Guardian could just see it from the point of view of the people in the communities."
Problems of crack houses on inner-city estates could not be addressed by "running enough youth clubs", she added, although it is difficult to find anyone who would suggest that was a plausible, rational or sensible policy.

The government made much of its fight against antisocial behaviour during the general election, boasting that the evidence of almost 4,000 Asbos and nearly 60,000 penalty notices for disorder showed communities could fight back.

Matt Foot, a criminal defence solicitor and coordinator of Asbo Concern, highlights the report by the European human rights commissioner criticising (see previous posts) the government for making Asbos too easy to obtain (only 3% of applications for orders are refused).

Matt Foot also highlighted a study by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation indicating that two-thirds of people believe the government's emphasis should be on prevention rather than punishment in tackling antisocial behaviour.

But Matt Foot is also reported (bC Online) ,saying: "We aren't saying that anti-social behaviour doesn't exist, but where people are committing criminal acts they should be dealt with by the criminal law."

He added: "If we are talking about children hanging around in the street, I don't think that should be criminalised, and there are people now in custody for that sort of behaviour."