§ Tim LoughtonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many court actions have taken place against offenders who have broken the terms of their antisocial behaviour order; and if he will list the range of penalties imposed. [86428]
§ Mr. Denham[holding answer 9 December 2002]The available information, relating to breaches of antisocial behaviour orders (ASBOs) in England and Wales, covers the period 1 June 2000 to 31 December 2001 and is shown in the table. The analysis covers only those breaches by persons issued with ASBOs during this period and notified to the Home Office.
360W
Persons proceeded against for breach of anti-social behaviour orders by outcome, England and Wales—1 June 2000 to 31 December 2001 Number Persons proceeded against 139 Persons found guilty 125
Persons proceeded against for breach of anti-social behaviour orders by outcome, England and Wales—1 June 2000 to 31 December 2001 Number Persons fined 18 Average fine amount (£) 116 Abs/Cond discharge 6 Community sentence 29 Persons sentenced to immediate custody 56 Average sentence length (months) 5.5 Other disposals 16 Note:
Figures cover only those proceedings relating to persons issued with ASBOs between 1 June 2000 and 31 December 2001 and notified to the Home Office.
Persons are counted only once even if they breached the same order on more than one occasion.
Conditional discharge is not available for breach of an ASBO under section 1 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998; instances where a conditional discharge may have been given are being investigated.
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§ Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the(a) remit, (b) composition and (c) work programme of the Home Office Anti-Social Behaviour Unit. [84309]
§ Mr. Denham[holding answer 2 December 2002]We are committed to reducing anti-social behaviour. The Anti-Social Behaviour Unit will act as a catalyst to drive the Government's cross-cutting agenda. The unit will be headed by Louise Casey. Once fully recruited, it will comprise of staff drawn from across Government and from outside organisations. It will develop strategy and focus on implementation of existing initiatives and legislation, and the preparation of the Anti-Social Behaviour Bill, which was announced in the Queen's speech.