THERE are many myths surrounding anti-social behaviour. “Asbos don’t work” and “youngsters see them as a badge of honour” are just two which people may believe to be true.

But where are the facts to back up these claims? And how many offenders have had their behaviour “nipped in the bud” before Asbos are given?

Sergeant Geoff Murphy, head of south Worcestershire police’s anti-social behaviour unit, thinks people would change their minds if they knew more about how Asbos worked. He said: “People don’t see the work which goes on behind the scenes but it is extremely effective.”

Sgt Murphy said it is the extensive work done before orders are given which helps police understand the offending.

There are four stages in the imposition of an Asbo: Stage one: When anti-social behaviour is reported for the first time, a letter is sent to the home of the offender.

Stage two: If the behaviour persists, a police officer will handdeliver another letter – 89 were given in Worcestershire in 2009.

Stage three: A meeting with the offender, police and all other relevant agencies (social services, housing association etc).

Stage four: An Asbo is imposed by the courts if offending continues.

Sgt Murphy said: “If someone is swearing in the street, a member of the public will come up and say, ‘Give him an Asbo, give him an Asbo’, but it doesn’t work like that.

The offending must be persistent over a period of time.”

“At the second stage, officers go round and find out what’s going on in the household. This is important when a young person is involved.

We can find out where they go to school, is their attendance good or bad, are there any problems at home and find out about the family background.

“If it is an adult, there may be mental health issues and we can make sure they get help from the right agencies or charities.”

Sgt Murphy said the third stage is when offenders really start to realise the seriousness of the situation. He said: “This can be a bit of a shock when all the other agencies are there to discuss what will happen if they don’t change their behaviour. It is at this stage when they realise it is not just about the police. The threat of losing their house is usually a good deterrent.

“If the behaviour doesn’t change after this stage then there is no option but to go to the court and apply for an order. Our aim is not to get to this stage, our aim is to get that behaviour to stop and not need to go to court – most of the time that is what happens.”

When asked if any youngsters viewed their order as a “badge of honour”, Sgt Murphy said: “In nearly three years I have never heard that phrase used by anyone who has been given an order.

“Some people can take the positives from it. If you behave and follow the order, nothing with happen, it just expires.

“Some of the people we deal with have never been given boundaries, some have just gone off the rails and the orders help haul them back.”

Sgt Murphy said one of the youths on an order in south Worcestershire was told he could have his two-year Asbo removed after 12 months – but said he wanted to keep it so he could say to his friends he couldn’t join in with what they were doing.

“From personal experience, the orders work very well for some people, quite well others but unfortunately there are people who, no matter what the law does or says, will just carry on regardless and feel they can do what they want, when they want and to whoever they want.”

WHAT IS AN ASBO?

● The Home Office defines anti-social behaviour as any aggressive, intimidating or destructive activity that damages or destroys another person’s quality of life.

● Examples include noise, vandalism, graffiti, fly-tipping rubbish, aggressive begging, street drinking, or setting off fireworks late at night.

● Anti-social behaviour orders are for a minumum of two years.

● Orders given to people under 17 are automatically reviewed every 12 months.

● Asbos are civil orders. It is only a criminal offence when they are breached.

● Breaching an order can lead to a fine or up to five years in jail.

● West Mercia Police received 8,900 calls relating to anti-social behaviour in 2009.

● The British Crime Survey showed 65 per cent of anti-social behaviour stopped after the first letter was sent out, while 93 per cent stopped after the third stage.

ASBOS IN WORCESTERSHIRE

● Last year in south Worcestershire, 1,202 letters were sent out to offenders for the first stage of an Asbo.

● In 2009, 89 letters were hand-delivered to an offender by a police officer carrying out the second Asbo stage.

● Twenty-six people reached the third stage – a meeting with all interested parties.

● In 2009 four Asbos were granted by the courts.

● There are currently 42 people in south Worcestershire who are subject to an order.

● Only nine of these are under 18 years old – most are adults with alcohol or drug problems.