Asbo breaches on the increase (From News Shopper)

Asbo breaches on the increase

12:29pm Tuesday 9th January 2007 in

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A THIRD of all Asbos issued in north Kent in the past year have been breached.

Fifteen people were given Asbos between April 2005 and April 2006 in Gravesham and Dartford.

Five people breached these orders, resulting in eight charges.

Six Asbos were given in the previous year between April 2004 and April 2005, with three broken.

The figures were released after a request from News Shopper.

Chief Inspector David Cooper of north Kent police, said: "Asbos are an important tool for tackling anti-social behaviour.

"We will be continuing to promote them to bring protection to communities who suffer from anti-social behaviour.

"We will use them alongside other tools available, such as parenting contracts and orders, dispersals, injunctions and acceptable behaviour agreements."

Gravesham Council's lead member for community safety Councillor Andrea Webb said: "There is clear evidence Asbos and acceptable behaviour agreements have a role to play in creating a safer and more crime-free environment.

"They are not an end in themselves and either form part of a deterrence strategy, where the threat of them can deter people from continuing their behaviour, or are steps along a road towards punishment."

She said breaches of Asbos do have consequences, but cannot be seen in isolation.

Cllr Webb added: "They are a useful part of a strategy developed by all the partners of our Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership.

"The purpose is to reduce crime and the fear of crime, and to make our borough a safer place.

"It is a fact Gravesham has seen the greatest fall in crime in Kent, with figures falling for six months in succession.

"Detection rates are rising and all the indications are positive."