Teenagers who plague neighbours with noise, vandalism or harassment are to be named and shamed by Oxford City Council.

Until now there has been a ban on revealing the identity of under-18s who are made the subject of an Antisocial Behaviour Order (ASBO) by a court.

But to help police and councils deal more effectively with the problem, under the new Antisocial Behaviour Act which was brought in on March 4, local authorities can automatically name under-18s made subject to an ASBO.

The city council has pledged to use these powers fully. Previously the council had to ask the court's permission to name a young offender. The authority's lawyers had never done this.

Usually only in extreme cases, such as those involving murder, rape or serious assault, will courts lift legal restrictions which ban the naming of defendants under 18 years.

Since 2001, the council's crime and nuisance action team has investigated more than 200 cases.

It has had five antisocial behaviour orders imposed and put in place more than 60 Acceptable Behaviour Contracts (ABCs) -- an agreement between the council and individual not imposed by the court.

The council said of those 200 cases a 'large number' involved young people.

Pc Paul Phillips, community officer for Oxford city centre, thought in some instances naming and shaming the youths involved could be beneficial, so long as it was done through the proper channels at court because it could reassure the victims and serve as a deterrent for youths.

Brian Lester, chairman of Blackbird Leys Parish Council, said: "I think you have to be careful because although they are causing aggravation, there could be a reason for it. If they breach the order then I think they've had their chance and should be named."

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