COMMENT: Is the Asbo system a failure? (From Oxford Mail)

9:00am Monday 30th August 2010 in

BYRON HAINES has been described as the “number one problem” on Blackbird Leys and has made life hell for residents.

He is now where he belongs – behind bars – after he showed complete contempt for the law by continually breaching the Asbo imposed in September 2009.

The initial reaction will be one of relief, but residents will question whether the system has failed them.

Home Secretary Theresa May has announced a complete review of the orders – claiming they are breached too often and simply don’t work.

On the evidence, she may be right.

Why was Haines allowed to flout the law for so long?

Asbos can only work if the courts take a tough line with those who breach them.

Otherwise, they are simply the troublemakers’ “badge of honour” that many feared they would be become.

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