Lib Dem policy U-turn over Asbos

The government says it wants to take a stand against "yobs"

The Lib Dems have had a change of heart over their approach to tackling anti-social behaviour.

The party had opposed dispersal orders which allow police to break up gangs of youths and move them on.

But the party now says it will back the orders if they are based on people's behaviour not just their presence.

Home affairs spokesman Mark Oaten said in the majority of cases he had seen the police had used their new powers responsibly.

He urged Lib Dem councils to use anti-social behaviour orders (Asbos), but only in conjunction with more constructive measures, such as drug rehabilitation, help for nuisance neighbours to tackle their own behaviour and advice on issues like debt.

Mr Oaten has spent a month shadowing police in Powys, Devon, Cornwall, Somerset, Hampshire and London.

Parish council fines

He told the Guardian newspaper: "The evidence I have seen is that in most cases police are using [Asbos] responsibly on the basis of behaviour and very occasionally on the basis of mere presence.

"Having gone round the country, I can't hand on my heart, say these aren't a useful thing."

The prime minister has announced an expansion in the use of Asbos and also powers allowing parish and town council staff to issue on-the-spot fines.

In the past year, more than 2,600 anti-social behaviour orders were issued - more than double the total used in the previous four years.

Police have also closed 150 crack houses and in the past nine months have issued more than 400 dispersal orders, breaking up groups of youths in public places.