A recent article in The Times has discussed the coalition’s plan to scrap ASBO’s and introduce ‘Crime Prevention Injunctions’ to tackle anti-social behaviour. If a person were to breach their CPI, they face up to six months imprisonment – surely they would be considered a criminal? Oh no. If you were to be given a CPI, or even serve a few months imprisonment for breaching one, you would not have a criminal record. You see, breaching a CJI is a civil offence, not criminal. Breaching an ASBO on the other hand IS a criminal offence.
CPI’s are designed with time and cost in mind. The Government’s thinking is that by creating sanctions under civil law, anti social behaviour will be stamped out quickly, protecting victims and communities. Labour disagree however. Gloria De Piero MP has stated that the Government are ditching a “tried and tested system”. A tried and tested system, the use of which has been rapidly declining since 2005 due to the time and effort put into the casework. Furthermore, ASBO’s, introduced under the Labour government in 1998 also had the reputation of being a ‘badge of honour’ for youths who were awarded one.
Time for a change? Is there any real deterrent for those committing anti-social behaviour knowing there will be no criminal record of their offences?
