A questionable strategy: ASBOs and youth misbehaviour

Abstract

During 2005/06, teenagers hanging around on the street topped the list of public concerns about antisocial behaviour (ASB). Almost one in three considered young people on the street to be a fairly big or very big problem in their locality: an increase of 60% since 1992.1 The intensity of public concern provides an essential backdrop for understanding what has frequently proved to be a polarised debate about the use of antisocial behaviour orders (ASBOs) for those below the age of 18.