Antisocial behaviour: Islington defends lack of ASBOs at board meeting

The Metropolitan Police Authority, which established the Islington board and hopes to replicate the scheme across London, believes the initiative will improve relations between officers and local people.

But residents attending the first meeting of the Islington Community Safety Board attacked the council for not doing enough to stop young people's antisocial behaviour. Residents were particularly concerned about the lack of antisocial behaviour orders (ASBOs) issued in Islington compared with neighbouring Camden. Between June 2000 and June 2003, Camden issued 27 ASBOs and Islington issued one.

Liberal Democrat councillor Jyoti Vaja, executive member for housing and community safety in Islington, said: "There is a perception that young people are the cause of antisocial behaviour, and we know that is not the case."