§ Mr. Tom WatsonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many anti-social behaviour orders have been issued for crimes against retailers since their introduction. [90262]
§ Mr. DenhamAnti-social behaviour orders (ASBOs) are community-based civil orders which can be applied for by the police, British Transport police, registered social landlords or local authorities against an individual or several individuals whose behaviour is anti-social.
Details on the offending types of behaviour initiating application for an ASBO are not collected centrally, although we are aware of areas where ASBOs have been used against shoplifters.
Further information on the use of ASBOs can be found in Home Office Research Study 236, 'A review of anti-social behaviour orders', published 2002.
§ Mr. PopeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many antisocial behaviour orders have been taken out in England in each year since their introduction, by local authority area. [90656]
§ Mr. DenhamSince their introduction, 1 April 1999, up to 31 May 2000 data on the number of Antisocial Behaviour Orders (ASBOs) issued was collected by police force area only. From 1 June 2000 official754W statistics on the number of ASBOs issued are based on quarterly returns from Magistrates Courts Committees (MCCs) and from copies of the orders received since this date, we are able to identify the local authorities.
I have placed a table showing the number of ASBOs issued within England, as notified to the Home Office, from 1 April 1999 to 30 June 2002 (latest available) in the Library.
We are aware that the numbers of ASBOs made nationally have been consistently under reported in returns made by magistrates courts and are considering how reporting can be improved.