ASB Review

As I blogged a couple of days ago, I shall be interested in hearing the results of the Lib Dem / Conservative review into ASBOs. I don't recall Ms May's doubts being voiced during the election. Nationally, the Liberal Democrats did have doubts although here in Brent they didn't do anything about it. It was startling to hear Cllr Paul Lorber at the last Council meeting talking about how terrible ASBOs were as if he had not just spent four years presiding over a Brent Council that issued them fairly frequently.

From the BBC report, the review appears to based on the idea that ASBOs are just quickly approved without any thought. My experience in Hazel Road suggests that is by no means the case. In fact, the police need specific information and times from people, although they don't need to put up public statements in court. Use of ASBOs and Dispersal zones are also usually accom panied by lots of "soft" measures like theYouth work that Ward Working paid for in Hazel Road, as well as non judicial measures, like speaking to landlords, or even just cutting hedgerows back or making minor building alterations.