I'm writing an article for Freedom about ASBOs and how they relate to community action. Anyone got info? Questions I have include:
Is the government's focus on 'anti-social behaviour' just a cash in on a
moral panic, or is there a real rise in people being harassed?
Has street crime gone up or down inm the last 20 years?
Figures for youth provision over last 20 years.
Have ASBOs been called for by community groups?
Have ASBOs ever made a positive differnce on the ground?
Alternative ways people have dealt with street crime/harassment (I know about Oxford IWCA's stuff)
Links to references would be appreciated.
I'll be doing myown research as well, you know -- anything you guys offer will be the cherry on the cake 8)
Doesn't answer any of your questions, but ways they've already been misused are:
They've been used to shut down pirate radio stations - because they advertise parties where "drugs might be sold" - (in which case next time Glastonbury's on....), and put aerials on tower blocks (in which case get 3 or Orange next time they put one up without planning permission).
Also against Sony/BMG for flyposting (I think they settled out of court) - which I'm not sad about, but it could be used against political groups in the future for flyposting (although that'd hurt the swappies more than us).
And some vicar in the south west got done by his neighbours for ringing his bells too loud after they'd been restored (don't have a link, heard it elsewhere, noise legislation could have been used instead of an ASBO, as could most laws that they're replacing with civil penalties then longer prison sentences).