Cheri Wright, Swindon's ASBO co-ordinator Picture Ref: 25154-55SWINDON'S anti-social-behaviour order co-ordinator has hit out at claims the orders are being used inappropriately.

A new initiative called Asbo Concern, which will be launched in London on Thursday, brings together trade unions, civil liberties campaigners, academics and social workers.

It calls on the Government to launch a full public review of ASBOs and the way they are used.

But Swindon's ASBO co-ordinator Cheri Wright believes such orders have been particularly effective and have made a real difference to people's lives.

Supporters of the Asbo Concern campaign say the orders designed to improve the behaviour of tearaways, nuisance families and other anti-social people are being used inconsistently and unfairly.

Harry Fletcher, the assistant general secretary of probation union Napo, who will speak at the launch, said: "Evidence continues to emerge of ASBOs being used by police and local authorities as a catch-all to sweep off the streets anyone whose behaviour is eccentric or to some people is disagreeable.

"Examples include teenage boys being banned from playing football and a couple who were barred from having rows with each other.

"They are being used outrageously."

But Ms Wright does not agree that this is the case in Swindon where there is a multi-agency approach and an ASBO is only used after other measures have failed.

She said: "We are definitely using them appropriately in Swindon.

"We use them only where other measures fail and it is always with a multi-agency approach, so we make sure people's human rights are protected.

"We always use other preventative measures first and we have found they have made a real difference to the quality of life of the community in areas like Freshbrook."

An Asbo Concern spokeswoman said the group recognised anti-social behaviour can cause misery but the Government's response should be appropriate, just, proportionate, positive and effective.

Breaching an ASBO can lead to jail even if the original behaviour was not a crime.

"Someone who breaches an ASBO even one that prohibits wearing a baseball cap backwards or associating with a particular person can be imprisoned," said the spokeswoman."