PROPOSALS to scrap anti-social behaviour orders will make front-line policing simpler and give the public more opportunity to intervene, a top West Mercia Police officer has said.

The Government has announced plans to replace Asbos and criminal Asbos (Crasbos) with criminal behaviour orders and crime prevention injunctions.

The orders will ban an individual from certain activities or places, while the injunctions are designed to nip bad behaviour in the bud before it escalates.

Offenders could be stripped of prized possessions such as iPods in a bid to tackle their behaviour.

Other proposals include community protection orders, which would give councils powers to stop graffiti, noisy neighbours or dog fouling.

West Mercia Police received 8,900 anti-social behaviour calls in 2009, and there are 42 people in south Worcestershire subject to an Asbo or Crasbo.

Simon Edens, West Mercia’s assistant chief constable and Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) lead on anti-social behaviour, said police welcome any move which allows communities to better deal with the problem.

He said: “One of the core purposes of policing is to keep people safe, and this includes dealing effectively with anti-social behaviour.

“ACPO has been working with the Home Office and others on how we best support forces to deal with anti-social behaviour.

“Any approach must recognise the harm that anti-social behaviour causes.

“We will support a simplification of the tools and powers available to frontline practitioners.

“We also recognise that anti-social behaviour cannot be solved by public services alone.

"Police and partners have a role in supporting communities to develop their own capabilities, including enhancing the public’s ability to intervene, without putting themselves at risk.”

Crime prevention minister James Brokenshire said: “Anti-social behaviour has wreaked havoc in our communities and ruined people’s lives.

"It is time for a new approach that supports victims and makes it easier for the authorities to take fast, effective action.”

The proposals follow Labour party claims that 10,000 police officers would be lost as a result of government cuts.

Shadow home office minister Vernon Coaker said the cuts would hit neighbourhood policing teams.

“This Government’s savage cuts, putting chief constables in an impossible position and meaning more than 10,000 fewer police officers, will impact the work of these teams,” he said.