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Report backs 'Asbo leniency'

10/12/2007

Rules surrounding antisocial behaviour orders (Asbo) placed on children should be relaxed to reduce crime on Britain's streets, a report will argue.

The Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) thinktank claims Britons are becoming 'paedophobic' in their reactionary attitude to antisocial behaviour by youths.

Its report, due to be published next month, suggests children need firmer social leadership from adults instead of the strict measures imposed on them by Asbos at present.

Supervision of play areas, more welfare professionals and new adventure playgrounds in deprived areas will help the problem more effectively than harsh Asbos, juvenile curfews and boot camps, it argues.

"We need policy which reminds adults - parents and non-parents alike - that it is their responsibility to set norms of behaviour and to maintain them through positive and authoritative interaction with young people," IPPR co-director Carey Oppenheim commented.

"The problem with 'kids these days' is the way adults are treating them."

The report calls for a scaling-back of Asbos for children which would see them not being used as the sole punishment for children under 12 and their duration cut to a maximum of two years.

The government is due to publish its Children's Plan later this week. A Home Office spokesperson did not comment on the IPPR report.