Finding an effective way to tackle antisocial behaviour

More than half of all Asbos are breached, a criminal offence which can lead to imprisonment - even if the original behaviour does not warrant it. Research has suggested that they can be viewed as a "badge of honour" by young people, who are proud of the restrictions imposed on them. Inevitably, perhaps, they then do their best to circumvent them, though sometimes those orders are so complex that compliance would be difficult.

The antisocial behaviour order was described by one academic wit as an "evidence-free zone".

I would prefer to think it has been a flag of convenience for so many different interests that it has failed to serve any at all. It has clearly not served the communities troubled by persistent nuisance, noise, harassment, alarm and distress.

It has definitely not served the young people bombarded by Asbos following the launch of the "Respect" agenda. It has not served politicians, who have been lambasted by the media for the use of a blunt instrument that has had limited effect. And it has patently not served justice in its criminalisation of many forms of behaviour that, historically, were part of the periodic ribaldry and revelry of many neighbourhoods.

Though the demise of the Asbo is probably welcomed almost universally, something will have to replace it. Communities do suffer from "antisocial" behaviour, but we have to be much sharper at defining what that is, who is engaging in it, when it requires action, and what action needs to be taken. Better still, we need to think about what causes it in the first place. Where young people are concerned, contact, conversation, consultation and creative thinking and action are needed. Control and regulation must remain a last resort.

Howard Williamson is professor of European youth policy at the University of Glamorgan.