Minister launches assault on anti-social behaviour

Criminal Justice Minister, John Spellar has announced proposals to introduce new laws to curb anti-social behaviour in Northern Ireland.

Mr Spellar said the public consultation process would put forward a package of measures for consideration to combat anti-social behaviour and neighbourhood disorder.

The consultation paper proposes a package which consists of three measures:

• the development of Acceptable Behaviour Contracts (ABCs). ABCs are a non-statutory intervention and may be a sufficient warning to people involved in anti-social behaviour (including young people and their parents);
• introduction of Anti-Social Behaviour Orders (ASBOs) as an option available to the court when there is a conviction for a related criminal offence;
• ASBOs without an associated conviction and on the basis of a partnership arrangement between the police and, in the first instance, District Councils and the Northern Ireland Housing Executive.

Mr Spellar said the proposals were a direct response to Government and community concerns about anti-social behaviour and were in line with Community Safety Strategy for Northern Ireland launched by the NIO in March last year.

"I welcome responses to this consultation which I believe proposes a package of measures which will both complement ongoing work and provide additional tools in dealing with anti-social behaviour by both young people and adults," he concluded.

(MB)