HC Deb 10 July 2000 vol 353 cc429-31W
Mr. Clappison

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many young persons aged under 18 years have been made subject to an anti-social behaviour order; [129264]

(2) what estimate he has made of the cost of obtaining an anti-social behaviour order. [129241]

Mr. Charles Clarke

As I said in my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Middlesbrough, South and Cleveland, East (Dr. Kumar) on 6 July 2000,Official Report, column 296W, we are aware of at least 27 anti-social behaviour orders made against people under the age of 18.

The costs quoted in the Financial and Explanatory Memorandum for the Crime and Disorder Bill assumed an average additional cost of £600 per anti-social behaviour order. This took account of offsetting savings. We have not assessed the cost of making an order since then.

Miss Widdecombe

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the compatibility of(a) spot-fines for anti-social behaviour and (b) the enforcement mechanism for spot-fines for anti-social behaviour proposed by the Prime Minister in his announcement of 30 June with the European Convention on Human Rights; and if he will make a statement. [129375]

Mr. Charles Clarke

[holding answer 6 July 2000]: Any new measures would, of course, have to comply with the European Convention on Human Rights, in particular the right under Article 6 to a fair trial. Resource implications, the arrangements for handling money and the safety of police officers would also be primary considerations. The Government have no plans to decriminalise anti-social behaviour that currently constitutes an offence in England and Wales.

Miss Widdecombe

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what estimate he has made of the cost of training police officers in the use of spot-fines for anti-social behaviour; and if he will make a statement; [129369]

(2) what plans he has for police forces to retain the funds levied by way of spot-fines for anti-social behaviour; and if he will make a statement; [129374]

(3) what estimate he has made of the cost to the police of enforcing spot-fines for anti-social behaviour; and if he will make a statement; [129370]

(4) what assessment he has made of the impact on social exclusion of the imposition of spot-fines for anti-social behaviour; and if he will make a statement; [129373]

(5) what research his Department has conducted on the increased risk to police officers of (a) violence associated with refusal to pay spot-fines for anti-social behaviour and (b) carrying large amounts of cash obtained from spot-fines for anti-social behaviour; and if he will make a statement; [129366]

(6) what plans the Government have to make spot-fines for anti-social behaviour (a) criminal and (b) civil penalties; what standard of proof will be employed; if their imposition will be recorded on criminal records; and if he will make a statement; [129371]

(7) what discussions (a) he, (b) Ministers in his Department and (c) officials in his Department had with (i) chief constables and (ii) other police officers regarding spot-fines for anti-social behaviour prior to the Prime Minister's announcement of 30 June; what representations were received; and if he will make a statement; [129364]

(8) what plans the Government have for spot-fines for anti-social behaviour to be enforced (a) in addition to and (b) instead of criminal proceedings; and if he will make a statement; [129372]

(9) what plans the Government have to decriminalise acts of anti-social behaviour that currently constitute criminal offences; and if he will make a statement; [129368]

(10) what recent research his Department has conducted in relation to introducing powers for the police to impose spot-fines for anti-social behaviour. [129365]

Mr. Charles Clarke

[holding answer 6 July 2000]: I refer the right hon. Member to the reply given today by my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary to the hon. Member for Southwark, North and Bermondsey (Mr. Hughes).

Mr. Edwards

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement about the use of anti-social behaviour orders in Wales. [129836]

Mr. Charles Clarke

It is for the police and local authorities concerned, in Wales as in England, to apply to the courts for an anti-social behaviour order if they consider it appropriate in order to protect their local communities. Anti-social behaviour orders (ASBOs) provide an effective weapon to tackle such behaviour. Over 80 ASBOs have been made in the past year in a variety of English local government areas. I very much hope that the new guidance we have recently issued will help to increase their use further still, including in local government areas within England and Wales in which no such orders have as yet been made.

Mr. Edwards

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many anti-social behaviour orders have been made to date in Wales. [129837]

Mr. Charles Clarke

I refer my hon. Friend to the response I gave to him on 6 July 2000,Official Report, column 295W.