§ Miss WiddecombeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many anti-social behaviour orders have been applied for in each police force area in(a) England and (b) Wales; and if he will make a statement. [113134]
§ Mr. Charles ClarkeI refer to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Surrey Heath (Mr. Hawkins) on 21 February 2000,Official Report, column 824W.
§ Mr. LoughtonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent discussions he has held with local authorities about increasing the use of anti-social behaviour orders. [113125]
§ Mr. Charles ClarkeOn 15 October 1999, my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary wrote to the Chief Executive of each local authority about the provisions in the Crime and Disorder Act 1998, including the anti-social behaviour order, to tackle problems caused by unruly behaviour. An action group was subsequently established, involving representatives of local authorities and others, to consider issues relating to the use of anti-social behaviour orders. That group is now arranging a series of 10 regional seminars. The seminars will be held over the next few weeks and will provide an opportunity to share good practice, based on the rising number of successful applications for anti-social behaviour orders, and to consult on the terms of a model agreement, or protocol, which local partnerships can use as a basis for effective co-operation in tackling anti-social behaviour.