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Corby 'tops' Asbo watchdog report Corby 'tops' Asbo watchdog report
(11 minutes later)
A Northamptonshire town has topped a survey of residents' perceptions of anti-social behaviour and breaches of orders designed to tackle the problem. A report by the National Audit Office (NAO) revealed nearly 55% of Asbos are breached by offenders. A Northamptonshire town has topped a survey of residents' perceptions of anti-social behaviour and breaches of orders designed to tackle the problem.
A report by the National Audit Office (NAO) revealed nearly 55% of Asbos are breached by offenders.
Home Office data showed 48.8% of adults in Corby believed anti-social behaviour was a big or fairly big problem.Home Office data showed 48.8% of adults in Corby believed anti-social behaviour was a big or fairly big problem.
The Asbos were either breached by offenders committing more offences or by breaking the terms of the order.The Asbos were either breached by offenders committing more offences or by breaking the terms of the order.
Mansfield in Nottinghamshire was second worst with 44.4%, then Hackney in east London and Nottingham, both with 42.7%.Mansfield in Nottinghamshire was second worst with 44.4%, then Hackney in east London and Nottingham, both with 42.7%.
Luton - the Bedfordshire town voted the worst in Britain in an online poll two years ago - came fourth with 42%.Luton - the Bedfordshire town voted the worst in Britain in an online poll two years ago - came fourth with 42%.
'Tough talk''Tough talk'
The study highlights a "hard core" of anti-social thugs against whom attempts to stop their bad behaviour had little or no effect.The study highlights a "hard core" of anti-social thugs against whom attempts to stop their bad behaviour had little or no effect.
Home Office Minister Tony McNulty insisted breaches of the orders were not a sign of failure, while the Conservatives accused Labour of "talking tough but acting soft".Home Office Minister Tony McNulty insisted breaches of the orders were not a sign of failure, while the Conservatives accused Labour of "talking tough but acting soft".
They could be a real weapon against crime if they were properly enforced David Davis, shadow home secretaryThey could be a real weapon against crime if they were properly enforced David Davis, shadow home secretary
Official Asbo breach rates are due to be published by the Home Office on Thursday.Official Asbo breach rates are due to be published by the Home Office on Thursday.
The NAO's survey of all English local authorities named Bristol as the place with the fewest perceived anti-social problems with only 5.7% of residents describing it as a big or fairly big issue.The NAO's survey of all English local authorities named Bristol as the place with the fewest perceived anti-social problems with only 5.7% of residents describing it as a big or fairly big issue.
In second-best place was Staffordshire Moorlands, the district council centred on Leek.In second-best place was Staffordshire Moorlands, the district council centred on Leek.
The data was based on "best value performance indicators" for 2003-04 which are collected by the Home Office but not gathered in this format, an NAO spokesman said.The data was based on "best value performance indicators" for 2003-04 which are collected by the Home Office but not gathered in this format, an NAO spokesman said.
Chairman of the Commons' all-party Public Accounts Committee, Lincolnshire MP Edward Leigh, said: "Instead of being startled into bringing their behaviour into check, too often offenders respond to an Asbo by sneering at the authorities."Chairman of the Commons' all-party Public Accounts Committee, Lincolnshire MP Edward Leigh, said: "Instead of being startled into bringing their behaviour into check, too often offenders respond to an Asbo by sneering at the authorities."
Shadow home secretary David Davis said: "They (asbos) could be a real weapon against crime if they were properly enforced but these figures show that is not the case.Shadow home secretary David Davis said: "They (asbos) could be a real weapon against crime if they were properly enforced but these figures show that is not the case.
"Over half of them are being breached with over a third being breached on a serial basis."Over half of them are being breached with over a third being breached on a serial basis.
"Yet again we see Labour talk tough, but act soft.""Yet again we see Labour talk tough, but act soft."
But Mr McNulty said: "Where breaches are reported it means that individuals are being monitored, that communities feel confident enough to report them."But Mr McNulty said: "Where breaches are reported it means that individuals are being monitored, that communities feel confident enough to report them."