ASBO's are no substitute

ASBOs are no substitute for real police

Shadow Home Secretary David Davis has accused Labour ministers of "talking tough" while failing to deliver on promised action to curb yob violence.Commenting on the news that 42 per cent of anti-social behaviour orders have been breached - up from 36 per cent when the figures were last recorded - he said: "Eight years after Labour promised to get tough on anti-social behaviour it is out of control."He added: "Drug and knife crimes have soared and, for the first time, there were over a million violent crimes during the last year. Labour promised to issue 5,000 anti social behaviour orders every year, but have not even reached that number in 6 years. And nearly half are being breached, so they are effectively worthless."

Mr Davis told conservatives.com: "Simply issuing anti social behaviour orders is not tackling the problem - they are not a substitute for proper policing. "Charles Clarke may talk tough on anti-social behaviour but it will take more than Home Office rhetoric and gimmicks to tackle the problem. Only the Conservatives will put 5,000 extra police officers a year, free of the burden of red tape and political correctness, on our streets to actually deal with Labour's failure on crime."

The Shadow Home Secretary was speaking after Home Office Minister Hazel Blears confirmed that 42 per cent of all ASBOs were breached in the period between June 2000 to Dec 2003, up from 36 per cent when the figures were last recorded; and Home Secretary Charles Clarke unveiled plans to name and shame adults and teenagers subjected to anti social behaviour orders.