ASBOs do work

Let’s look at this from the perspective of the communities and individuals that these orders protect from appalling behaviour – almost 60% of orders are not breached and stop behaviour that has blighted people’s lives. The majority of the breaches are for less serious antisocial behaviour than that which required the ASBO in the first place, so in more than 80% of cases the orders improve the quality of life of people suffering at the hands of antisocial and criminal individuals.

The remaining offenders know what behaviour is expected of them under the terms of the order and knowingly break it – they end up in prison.

The evidence tells us these orders work, our residents are telling us this too and want us to continue to use them to sort out the small minority of people who do not have respect for their community.

These orders are about supporting and protecting victims. Publishing photographs of perpetrators and the terms of the order means decent people feel it is possible to win back their neighbourhoods and, crucially, can report breaches so the orders can be effectively enforced.

I am certain that Matt Foot, a founder of pressure group ASBO Concern, and Jacqui McCluskey of the children’s charity NCH, have never suffered this type of behaviour and it appears from their comments they have not listened to anyone who has either.

What is perhaps most worrying is that David Orr, the new chief executive of the National Housing Federation, is quoted on page 8 of the same edition expressing similarly out-of-touch views – if he wants to make In Business for Neighbourhoods mean something for real people he needs to listen to some real people before he takes up his post.

The sector needs to be in touch with communities before it can be In Business for them.

Steve Rumbelow, director of housing, Manchester council