POLICE and local authorities in Suffolk are handing out fewer Anti-Social Behaviour Orders (Asbos) to tackle nuisance behaviour, new figures show.Home Office statistics shoe only 35 Asbos were issued in Suffolk during 2006 compared with 53 in 2005 - a drop of 33pc.
POLICE and local authorities in Suffolk are handing out fewer Anti-Social Behaviour Orders (Asbos) to tackle nuisance behaviour, new figures show.
Home Office statistics shoe only 35 Asbos were issued in Suffolk during 2006 compared with 53 in 2005 - a drop of 33pc.
The decline, which is mirrored nationally, has been put down to increased use of “early intervention” measures - such as Acceptable Behaviour Contracts (ABCs) - to curb anti-social behaviour before it escalates.
Police say these early warnings are deterring people from committing further incidents.
A Suffolk police spokesman said: “Anti-social behaviour can have a huge impact on people's quality of life and tackling this issue is a priority for the constabulary.
“Anti-social behaviour orders are one of a number of tools we use to tackle such behaviour. The decline in the number of Asbos issued demonstrates that early intervention procedures are proving to be successful.
“Early warnings are given to offenders to discourage anti-social behaviour and acceptable behaviour contracts are issued. These are a voluntary agreement in which the offender agrees to bring to an end their anti-social behaviour. “
Suffolk has handed out a total of 203 Asbos since 1999, when they were first introduced.
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