Enforcement Action in Practice

It can take several months to get from initial enquiry to the court granting an Anti-Social Behaviour Order (ASBO). Recently, Safer Communities Torbay successfully applied for 4 ASBO's against individuals who were causing a lot of Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) in their community which was affecting a lot of people. The following case study tells of the problems experienced by the community and how together this was tackled.

Case Study

A referral was made to Safer Communities Torbay via the police regarding four males aged between 18-19 years who were allegedly linked to a local gang. The males had been involved in ASB including, foul language, criminal damage, threatening behaviour, intimidationm, shop lifting and drug dealing. This behaviour was predominatley in one area of town.

The males had particularly been targeting the local supermarket and local convenience store whereby they had threatened staff and abused customers.

As the police had already attempted to engage with the males a second stage warning letter was issued to the four males and home visits were attempted.

Further reports of ASB were recieved regarding the four males and it was decided that the males should be issued with Acceptable Behaviour Contracts (ABC's) and invited to attend the local police station to discuss this.

One of the males was currently not living at his registered address therefore an ABC was issued by a Police officer whilst he was in custody.

Another one of the males was working with probation. A meeting was set up with the male and his probation worker and the ABC was issued and signed.

The two other males attended the police station and both agreed to sign the ABC. All four of the males were offered support in relation to accessing further education and employment services.

Not long after the ABC's were served, futher reports were recieved that the four individuals had been continuing to engage in ASB, in particular at the local supermarket. CCTV footage of the alleged incidents of ASB proved that the individuals had not ceased their behaviour.

The case was taken to a multi agency meeting. Due to the severity of the complaints and the need to protect the community it was decided that an application for interim ASBO. These included banning them from entering a marked area, associating with each other and other named individuals, banned them from wearing hooded clothing, caps or hats and also prohibiting them from drinking alcohol in a public place.

The applications for the interim orders were successful and once the orders had been served on the four males the reports of ASB stopped immediately. Crime statistics for the area also showed a dramatic decrease in criminal activity in the area once the interim orders had been served.

Full ASBO's were eventually granted by the courts for the four males and are in place untill 2011.

The success of this case was due in part to the community coming forward to take a stand. By reporting the incidents, completing diary sheets and giving statements to the police we were able to put together a robust case for court which resulted in the court granting ASBO's.

Andy Evans, a security guard employed by one of the company's affected by these individuals said 'These individuals were causing a lot of problems to the business community and a lot of people were getting fed up with their ASB. The ASBO's secured against these individuals has made a tremendous difference to where I live and work. I was supported throughout the case and would happily come forward again to report ASB.'