The UK has such a problem with youth crime and vandalism, that they have instituted something called an Anti-Social Bahaviour Order, or ASBO. These ASBOs have been around for a couple of years, and local councils have only recently gotten into the habit of excerising their rights to use them. For the most part, they act as restraining orders. For example, if a person has been terrorizing a neighborhood, that person may not be allowed to enter within a certain boundary, even if that means they will be forced to move.

Sounds good, doesn't it?

Then today, I came across this article about a father-and-son crime team.

The two-year order places restrictions on their behaviour, which if breached, could land them in prison.

So far so good...

It means neither man should assault or harass any person or behave in away which is likely to intimidate or cause distress to anyone.

I thought we already had laws for that. Is this ASBO just a friendly reminder, or does it actually accomplish something?

They cannot enter any private premises without consent of the owner or the occupier.

That's called breaking and entering, or burglary. Once you have done this, you should be in jail. You should not be dragged through the courts at the taxpayer's expense, only to come out with a handy slip of paper reminding you not to do it again - or else!! What is the "or else" in this case? They give you the ASBO on audio and video tape, in case you weren't clear the first time??

I realize the local councils don't have a lot of direct power, and these ASBOs can be really good at times, especially with young offenders, but I hope that the above article was just poorly written, and that there is a lot more to it. Otherwise, there is very little purpose to the ASBO, and another solution needs to be found.