Home Secretary David Blunkett last week launched Respect and Responsibility - Taking a Stand Against Antisocial Behaviour. It spells out new powers for the police and local authorities to deal with a range of antisocial behaviour issues and is due to go before parliament in the next few weeks (see analysis, p7).
But The Children's Society says the plans are "unworkable" and "sensational".
Sharon Moore, policy manager at the society, said spot fines that young people pay themselves was a "simplistic solution that may alienate and isolate" young people.
But the Youth Justice Board welcomed the white paper, particularly its focus on early intervention and the extension for intensive supervision and surveillance programmes (ISSPs).
Blunkett said the proposals "build on measures such as local crime-fighting partnerships, antisocial behaviour orders, fixed penalty notices and community support officers".
Courts will be able to impose ISSPs on persistent young offenders for up to a year. Courts will also be able to impose individual support orders requiring young people subject to an antisocial behaviour order to undertake activities addressing the causes of their behaviour.
Police will be able to disperse groups of young people on the streets, while schools, community wardens and private security staff will be able to issue fines for truancy and bad behaviour.
Parents who do not control their children may be subjected to residential parenting classes.
The white paper is available at www.homeoffice.gov.uk/new.htm.
