Antisocial behaviour - ASBOs are not working

AN AVERAGE of 72 antisocial behaviour warnings have been issued each month since the legislation was introduced in 2007, but the system is obviously not working effectively.

The warnings are the first step in a three-part civil process leading to a court issuing an antisocial behaviour order (ASBO).

There has been a dramatic rise in the number of children receiving warnings since February of this year. The monthly average has almost doubled from 27 to 52.

Twelve formal good behaviour contracts have been made with children. If a child fails to uphold that contract, a court can issue an official ASBO.

There have only been three applications to the courts since the legislation was enacted in 2007. One of those was refused, while one involving an adult and another relating to a child were granted.

Antisocial behaviour has been on the increase, which is supported by the dramatic rise in the number of warnings issued to children. But the system to tackle the problem is obviously taking too long.

Breaching a court-ordered ASBO is a criminal offence for which an adult can be fined up to €3,000 and sentenced to six months in prison, while a child can be fined €800 and be sentenced to three months in a children’s detention school. Yet since January 2007 nobody has been convicted, and only two ASBOs have even been issued.

The system is simply not working, and the evidence is to be found on our streets.