Use of ASBOs picks up after a slow start

Around 120 anti-social behaviour orders have been issued to date, although precise figures will not be available until central collection of ASBO statistics, announced this week, begins.

A spokeswoman for the Home Office said that use of ASBOs had accelerated since their sluggish take-up which had led the home secretary Jack Straw to plead for their increased use last October.

"According to our anecdotal list, it is around 120, and there might be a few more," she said. "We would still like to see them used more widely in parts of the country, although they shouldn’t be used in isolation but as part of a co-ordinated strategy".

Home Office minister Paul Boateng said: "As from 1 June this year, magistrates courts will be keeping records of the number of anti-social behaviour orders they issue in a form which can be collected centrally on a quarterly basis."

Meanwhile, the Home Secretary will be updating the public this weekend on granting housing associations powers to apply directly for ASBOs.

In part of a speech to the National neighbourhood Watch Association, Straw will address the suggestion that housing associations could initiate their own ASBOs. The idea was mooted by home office minister Charles Clarke earlier this year(Housing Today, 25 May).

A spokeswoman for the Housing Corporation said that many RSLs were not yet ready to wield ASBO powers.

"We would encourage associations to get involved with local crime and disorder partnerships, at this stage. This is the first action that associations would need to take. Applying for ASBOs might well be appropriate in the future, but many RSLs are not at that stage yet," she said.