HC Deb 19 March 2002 vol 382 cc278-9W
Mrs. May

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many antisocial behaviour orders have been issued, broken down by local authority areas, in each calendar year since their introduction. [42369]

Mr. Denham

Antisocial behaviour orders (ASBOs) are community-based civil orders, which can be applied for by the police or local authority in consultation with each other, against an individual or several individuals whose behaviour is antisocial. Applications are currently made to the magistrates court acting in its civil capacity. ASBOs were introduced from 1 April 1999.

Data on the total number of ASBOs issued between 1 April 1999 to 31 May 2000 was collected by police force area only.

From 1 June 2000 official statistics on the number of ASBOs issued are based on quarterly returns from Magistrates Courts Committees (MCCs) which from 1 April 2001 were all aligned with police force areas. These returns are not presently designed to give figures below MCC level. Available information, up to 30 September 2001, by police force/MCC area is given in the table.

Number of anti-social behaviour orders issued as from 1 April 1999 to 30 September 2001 by police force area/Magistrates Courts Committees (MCC)
Police force area/MCC From 1 April 1999 to 31 May 20001 From 1 June 2000 to 31 December 20002 From 1 January 2001 to 30 September 2001 Total
Wiltshire 0 0 0 0
Dyfed Powys 0 0 0 0
Gwent 0 0 1 1
North Wales 0 1 0 1
South Wales 0 1 1 2
England and Wales 104 129 233 466
1 Total figures only available from police force areas for period 1 April 1999 to 31 May 2000.
2 As from 1 June 2000 data collected centrally by Magistrates Courts Committee (MCC) area by quarter.
3 Including City of London

Mrs. Brooke

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce guidance to authorities which successfully apply for ASBOs for individuals, on other rehabilitative measures which should be implemented at the same time. [41365]

Mr. Denham

Revised guidance on Anti-social Behaviour Orders (ASBOs) will be issued once the legislative changes introduced into the Police Reform Bill are available. The revised guidance will include information on agencies providing rehabilitative measures.

Mr. Andrew Turner

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which authority is responsible for meeting the cost of apply ing for anti-social behaviour orders. [38329]

Mr. Denham

[holding answer 27 February 2002]: The cost of an Anti-social Behaviour Order (ASBO) is usually met by the lead agency making the application—this will either be the local authority or the local police force. In some areas there are local arrangements where the costs are divided between the two agencies.