PC Neil Burdekin, from Runcorn Police Station, explains that parents with disruptive children are offered help for their child before fines and other punishments are issued. This is why he believes that parents should be punished if they fail to seize the opportunity to sort out their child’s disruptive behaviour.
Anti-social behaviour is classed as behaviour that causes, or is likely to cause, harassment, alarm or distress to one or more people. An ASBO is a court restriction put upon somebody so that they can’t go out at certain times or enter certain places.
Some areas of Runcorn are worse than others for these types of problems although anti-social behaviour can occur anywhere. Generally other authorities, eg social services, can sort these problems before the court has to get involved.
ASBO's are generally intended for use with adults, but according to PC Burdekin they are most often being used with children and young people over the age of ten and last for a minimum of two years.
Breaching an ASBO is a criminal offence and these cases can be brought before a Magistrates Court or the Crown Court. Penalties given can range from 6 months to 5 years imprisonment. The Youth Court will manage cases involving individuals aged between 15-18 years and the maximum custodial sentence is 6 months.
by Erin Story and Lauren Dower
article published 6th December 2005
So far two ASBO’s have been served in Runcorn, according to PC Burdekin, who spoke to Chadderbox Online. He believes that parents who have disruptive children should be punished.