WILTSHIRE'S chief probation officer has attacked the use of Anti Social Behaviour Orders.

Diana Fulbrook's comments come as Swindon is praised by Home Secretary David Blunkett for combating yob culture.

Ten ASBOs have been dished out in the borough over the past two years.

However, Ms Fulbrook who also chairs Wiltshire's Criminal Justice Board, an umbrella group of crime-fighting bodies says in some cases the orders can actually make problems worse over the long term.

Speaking exclusively to the Adver, she said: "During discussions at the Criminal Justice Board, there have been concerns about the long term impact.

"The problem is that if the orders are breached, it becomes a criminal offences. This means more young people are getting involved in the Criminal Justice System.

"There has been research by the police and the Government which shows that putting a young person in custody makes matters worse. They associate with other criminals, which can accelerate the rate of offending when they are released."

Ms Fulbrook who has 33 years experience in probation work says the powers should only be used as a last resort.

"ASBOs do work in some cases," she said. "But far more work could be done at the preventative end, leaving ASBOs to address the hard core of offenders who have not responded."

Taken out by local councils, the orders can ban an offender from designated areas and usually include a curfew.

Despite their critics, the orders found an unlikely champion in Penhill teenager Liam Walsh, 14.

He was given an order for being a neighbourhood menace, but says it helped turn his life around.

The case of a Highworth teenager who cannot be identified was less successful he was sent to a detention centre after persistently breaching his order.

Coun Brian Ford (Con, Wroughton & Chiseldon), Swindon Council's cabinet member for community safety, believes they have been well-used in the borough.

He said: "We are very careful about taking out these orders.

"While we have due thought for the correction of the perpetrator, we also have a duty to look after victims and potential victims."

Tamash Lal