ASBOs not a 'stand-alone' solution

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Sun 24th Apr 2005

Alliance spokespeople in North Down have raised concerns at the implementation of ASBOs after the first one imposed was breached within days.

Young Alliance Chairman and Holywood local government candidate Ian James Parsley stated: "The most important issue raised in the streets and on the doorsteps to us has been the growth of anti-social behaviour and resultant petty crime and discomfort caused to perfectly law-abiding communities. ASBOs can form part of the process to put an end to this, but only if properly implemented and only alongside other measures to support young people.

"Currently services to young people right across the board, from facilities to advice networks, are severely under-resourced. Saving the money we waste every year in deliberately segregating our public services and facilities would free up resources for use by social services, the police and the community sector working with young people.

Justice spokesperson and Bangor Abbey candidate Dr Stephen Farry added: "There is some legitimate concern raised by voluntary-sector organizations that ASBOs have not been seen to work in England and Wales. This was because they have too often been seen as a stand-alone measure. They will only function if properly implemented in a context of well-resourced social services and community policing."

ENDS