By Jon Slattery
The Lincolnshire Echo has launched a campaign calling for the
county’s police force to identify all those who are subject to
anti-social behaviour orders (ASBOs).
The Echo started its campaign after Lincolnshire Police rejected a request to hand over names.
This followed new guidance from the Home Office which stated that publicising those subject to ASBOs ought to be the norm.
It
also recommended that photographs of those given ASBOs should be
released to the media. ( Press Gazette , 4 March)n However, Assistant
Chief Constable Peter Davies told the Echo it was not a priority of the
force to reveal the details of those issued with such orders.
He
said: “Although this is obviously significant and of interest to the
media, we have other priorities in combating crime and disorder.”
Echo
editor Michael Sassi said: “It is in the public interest to name all
the people who have been given an ASBO. Everyone agrees that it is an
effective deterrent, including the Home Secretary, Charles Clarke.
“That is why we are baffled by the response of Lincolnshire Police.
“We will continue to put pressure on them to identify thugs who terrorise our neighbourhoods.”
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