A DORSET police officer who has campaigned with the Daily Echo to get youths named when they breach antisocial behaviour orders (Asbos) has welcomed the Home Secretary's decision to make identifying the yobs easier.

The force's Asbo expert, Chief Inspector Nick Maton, raised with a government legal advisor the difficulties the Echo has had persuading the courts to identify youths who breach the orders.

He said he was pleased to hear Home Secretary David Blunkett announce at the Labour conference last week that he was planning to make it easier for the media to report breaches of Asbos by under 18s.

Chief Insp Maton said: "We welcome the news, which we feel is a significant step in allowing us to keep the public informed of the actions that are being taken to enforce Asbos once they're granted by the courts."

As the law stands, the courts can decide to prevent the public from knowing the identities of youngsters who breach Asbos, even if they were named when the order was imposed.

But the government says reporting is vital to reassure communities who have been terrorised by the actions of a minority that these offenders are being brought to justice.

"There should be no let-up on tackling the antisocial behaviour which can blight communities," Mr Blunkett said to the conference.

"We are making it easier for local news outlets to tell communities when young people breach Asbos, who has breached them and what to do if they see someone in an area where they have been excluded or are up to no good.

"This means the community and the police will be able to work together to present evidence to the court and get a conviction where someone is evading the full force of the law."

First published: Oct 4