|
Home
>
Community Safety
>
Drugs
>
Drugs Case Studies
>
Overturning of an ASBO
Overturning of an ASBO
Leeds City Council successfully requested magistrates to lift an ASBO imposed on Leeford Walker, a 19 year old, after the teenager dramatically turned his life around. The order was initially imposed after an operation tackling drug dealing, crime and anti-social behaviour in Little London.
Since the order took effect however, he has become mentor for other youngsters and with hopes of becoming a youth worker or a soldier, after the courts put him on an Intensive Surveillance and Supervision Programme (ISSP) an alternative to prison for serious offending.
Mr Walker said “Coming on to ISSP instead of receiving a prison sentence was a really positive step towards changing my attitude and behaviour. My relationship with my key-worker and other members of the ISSP team helped me stop my offending and keep me away from friends who were involved in offending and a bad influence.”
“The birth of my daughter and a move away from the area has given me new priorities and a different outlook on my life”.
Since starting the Youth Offending Service programme, he has kept free of involvement in crime or anti-social activities. Officers believe the case shows that an ASBO can give an offender the chance to make a positive change to their life.
Councillor Les Carter said “There are people who criticise the value of ASBO’s, but here is a clear case of where it has worked. We are committed to continuing to use anti-social behaviour legislation in a positive way to address problems caused by individuals. This along with our huge investment into neighbourhood policing is a sign of our commitment to remove the perpetrators of anti-social behaviour”
Denis Lewis who is the ISSP manager from the Youth Offending Service said
“Since being referred to us in November 2004, Leeford has gone from strength to strength. Not only has he turned his own life around but he also now attends the office on a voluntary basis to work with other young people who are referred to the unit. Who better to understand some of the problems these young people are experiencing?”
ASBOs were first introduced by the current Government under Section 1 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 and first used in 1999. They have since become a widely used tool to help crack down on anti-social behaviour of a minority that was ruining the lives of many communities.
| 
