03 September 2004
Prime Minister Tony Blair marked his return from his summer break by stepping up Labour's campaign against antisocial behaviour and promoting councils' new powers in the fight against 'louts'.
The government will provide local authorities with access to so-called 'ambassadors', who will advise councils and the police on how best to exercise their powers to quell yobbish behaviour.
Speaking on a visit to a council estate in Essex on August 31, Blair described the antisocial actions of some youngsters as 'hell' for residents, but said the use of antisocial behaviour orders (Asbos) was having 'a real effect'.
Blair spoke after the publication on August 30 of figures showing that councils' use of Asbos doubled in the year to March, with 1,323 issued.
Bill Pitt, an Asbo ambassador, predicted that the use of the orders would continue to rise significantly because they 'establish the line that must not be crossed… and put the community back in the driving seat'.
Critics claimed the government must do more to tackle the roots of antisocial behaviour.
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