A VICTIM of anti-social louts wants offenders to be forced to wear US chain-gang style orange jumpsuits on community service.

Simon Ly, who runs the Lucky Dragon Chinese restaurant on Rochester Road, Gravesend, was targeted by racist yobs and left needing five stitches to a head wound.

If his attackers are caught they could be slapped with an anti-social behaviour order (Asbo) and sentenced to community service.

Home Office Minister Hazel Blears says wearing bright orange jump suits while performing community service would shame offenders and help the public to identify them.

Mr Ly, 42, said: "I wouldn't ridicule them but these thugs think they are untouchable.

"They don't deserve anonymity. They make people's lives a misery so why should they be spared any embarrassment?"

But the idea has been slammed by Howard Fletcher of the National Association of Probation Officers.

He said: "This is the fourth time the idea has come up and each time there is no evidence to suggest it cuts crime or makes the public feel safer.

"The idea may appeal to individual members of the public who want retribution but I would say uniforms could make offenders more resentful, meaning they won't turn up and are taken back to court.

"They could face a prison sentence so the Government must be more thoughtful and consult widely."

The scheme comes on the back of Tony Blair's pledge to crack down on anti-social behaviour and the "culture of disrespect".

Mr Ly, whose wife was also attacked during the incident on May 2, said: "These thugs don't care. We have lived in England for 25 years yet they told us to go home. Then they just started to attack us. It was horrible."

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