HC Deb 16 March 2000 vol 346 cc259-60W
Mr. Coaker

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what response he has had to his letter to local authorities and chief constables asking for comment on the operation of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 with respect to(a) child curfews and (b) anti-social behaviour orders; [114532]

(2) how many child curfews have been agreed using powers given by the Crime and Disorder Act 1998; [114531]

(3) what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the child curfew powers; and if he will make a statement. [114533]

Mr. Charles Clarke

No applications have been received from local authorities to establish child curfew schemes under section 14 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998. My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary wrote on 15 October 1999 to local authority chief executives and chief officers of police about the provisions in the 1998 Act to tackle problems caused by unruly and anti-social behaviour.

Responses have been received from a number of local authorities and police forces and from professional and staff associations. They are being studied with a view in the operation of the Crime and Disorder Act provisions. An action group has also been established, involving local authority representatives and others, to consider issues relating to the use of anti-social behaviour orders. Regional seminars arranged by the group are currently being held and provide an opportunity to share good practice.

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