Three Birmingham youths have been banned from the City Centre for two years for their violent behaviour to shopkeepers and shoppers over a period of months. They have been issued with an emergency interim ASBO which will take effect immediately and relieve the problem while the courts are preparing to deal with the case on a criminal basis.
But the youths, two aged 15 and one aged 16, cannot be named for legal reasons, thus making it very difficult, if not impossible, for the general public to help in this case. How will they know if the youths do come into the city centre? How can they report the breach of the ASBO when they don’t even know who it applies to?
The terms of the order, which was secured following a number of violent crimes, give some indication of the previous behaviour of these youths: it instructs them: not to wear any mask or item of clothing that covers their faces, not to associate with named individuals and not to carry marker pens or spray paint in a public place. Not to enter the city centre unless accompanied by a parent, step parent, police officer, an employee of the youth offending services, or unless to attend a pre arranged appointment.
One might say well done to the Council for taking action as the busy shopping period begins, but one might also ask whether or not 15 year-olds who behave like this deserve to be kept anonymous.
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