Scotland: Children unlikely to be given Asbos

Findings from the first phase of a three-year Scottish Executive monitoring project point to "major limitations" on the use of Asbos on 12- to 15-year-olds, including inbuilt checks and balances in Scottish legislation, such as the involvement of a children's reporter at youth justice hearings.

The prohibition of custodial sentences for children who breach orders was also seen as a restraint on their efficacy by experienced local authority and housing association staff.

Ruth Stark, professional officer for the British Association of Social Workers in Scotland, welcomed the findings, saying Asbos were "irrelevant legislation".

And Keith Simpson, head of service development at the crime reduction charity Sacro, voiced surprise that 54 per cent of respondents thought it likely their authority would make some use of the powers. "That will turn out to be an overestimate once people realise the limitations of Asbos' usefulness," he said.