Time is running out - 2003 could be the year that the antisocial behaviour bill is passed by Parliament. It is a piece of legislation widely considered to contain measures that penalise young people for normal teenage conduct.
Innocent behaviour by teenagers, such as being in groups of two or more, could become illegal, as the proposed bill will give police powers to disperse a group if they receive a complaint. This is regardless of whether the group is actually causing disruption, are siblings, or a study group discussing homework.
Home Secretary David Blunkett has ignored protests by charities and young people, who have picked up on sections of the bill that they say infringe on young people's rights (see panel). All the indicators are that it will go ahead largely unchanged.
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