STOCKPORT: police chief slams ASBOs

Police chief slams ASBOs

STOCKPORT’S top cop is calling for a review of how Asbos are used after writing a book claiming they could create even more problems than they solve.

Chief Superintendent Neil Wain says at least half of Asbos - anti-social behaviour orders - are breached; they can criminalise people for minor matters, and the conditions imposed are often too stringent.

His comments come after the launch of his book ‘The ASBO - Wrong Turning, Dead End’ which has been written as part of a Masters degree in Applied Criminology from Cambridge University.

He said: "I actually think we’ve got the right approach in Stockport but my concern is the long-term impact of these orders and nationally - not locally - I do think they have been overused, and have not been necessary or imposed with the right level of support and rehabilitation work to address the offending behaviour."

As Stockport’s divisional commander, he said he has seen how Asbos can help communities. However, he said their misuse, coupled with a lack of support, could worsen the situation by criminalising people who simply need help to get back on the straight and narrow.

"If these orders are imposed on people at an early stage all the research suggests that those going to prison early will have longer criminal careers," he said.

"I’m not saying these things don’t work, I’m just concerned about their effectiveness and usage. As far as I’m concerned they can be very effective - if used in the right circumstances."

The new book comes after a year of research which included studies in two areas, one youth offenders’ institution and interviewing offenders, police and youth workers.

His findings, which were gathered as part of a personal study project, have been welcomed by members of the Safer Stockport Partnership who have imposed 42 Asbos since 2005.

Executive councillor Hazel Lees said the partnership has also sent out over 600 warning letters during that period and implemented 87 anti-social behaviour contracts (ABCs) to deal with nuisance crime.

And she added that these warnings have led to only eight people needing an ABC and none of the 33 ABCs issued in 2006-7 led to an ABSO.

She said: "Stockport has always endorsed both effective enforcement with appropriate support and prevention. We were the first to pilot acceptable behaviour contracts in the north west. Stockport has consistently raised concerns about the government measurement of the effectiveness of our approach to anti-social behaviour by only concentrating only on the number of recorded ASBOs rather than other and often more effective interventions."

http://www.stockportexpress.co.uk/news/s/1016139_welcome_to_wains_world__police_chief_slams_asbos