An asbo revival

Home secretary Alan Johnson has pledged to revive the use of antisocial behaviour orders (asbos) in the most extreme cases of intimidation and harassment. In a package of measures designed to turn around the 30 per cent drop in new orders issued, he promises to cut delays of up to two years in getting the courts to issue an asbo, make it easier for problems to be reported and provide more counselling support for victims. He admitted that the government had been ‘to a certain degree, complacent’ in recent years on this issue.