MPs discuss behaviour orders

Plans focus on anti-social behaviour

Proposals to introduce anti-social behaviour orders (ASBOs) in Northern Ireland have been discussed at Westminster.

Criminal Justice Minister John Spellar told a committee of MPs on Tuesday that anti-social behaviour was an increasing cause of anxiety and concern in the province.

Mr Spellar said he was convinced that legislation was required to tackle the problem.

Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble told the minister he was delighted to see that the 1998 Act introduced in England and Wales was now being replicated in Northern Ireland - albeit after a six-year wait.

Mr Trimble asked whether Northern Ireland would have to wait another six years for further ASBO legislation which was introduced in England and Wales in 2003.

The SDLP's Seamus Mallon expressed serious reservations about some elements of the proposals, although Mr Spellar praised him for his "moderate and considered" contribution to the debate.

Mr Mallon said there was "a serious danger of using a final resort as a first resort".

He expressed concern that the government had not carried out adequate equality impact assessments and said that the question of naming and shaming was highly dangerous.

He said there may be places in Northern Ireland where ASBOs would be unenforceable.

Judges' discretion

Mr Spellar insisted that special provision on naming and shaming was adequately dealt with, as courts would be allowed to prevent the reporting of a case at a judge's discretion.

The DUP's Nigel Dodds welcomed the move to introduce ASBOs, saying it was important that the legislation went ahead so that people would not look to paramilitaries for intervention.

Mr Dodds said it would be "ludicrous" to deny this "important tool" to the authorities in Northern Ireland.

He welcomed the minister's provision which allowed courts to prevent naming and shaming.

Effective for a minimum of two years, ABSOs are civil orders rather than criminal penalties and are handled by police and local authorities working in partnership.

Breaches are punishable by up to five years in prison.