A LOOPHOLE in the law, which can stop the public from knowing the identity of young delinquents who break antisocial behaviour orders, could be closed after The Daily Echo brought the issue to light.

The Echo asked Dorset Police for their support after magistrates refused a number of applications from the newspaper to lift bans on naming local youths convicted of breaching their ASBOs.

The force's ASBO expert, Chief Inspector Nick Maton, passed on the newspaper's concerns to a government legal advisor, and as a result the Home Office, backed by the Lord Chancellor, has proposed a review of the media reporting restrictions on breaches.

Chief Insp Maton said: "We will welcome these changes.

"We have always maintained throughout with ASBOs that they are there for the protection of the public, and it is important that the public knows not only the identity of the people made subject of the orders, but also the results of any breach of the order." Chief Inspector Maton added that if these juveniles are not named, members of the public who see no change in their behaviour may assume nothing has been done to tackle the problem and be put off from reporting any further antisocial behaviour.

ASBOs were introduced to protect the public from antisocial behaviour and are imposed on people who have a record of terrorising their local communities.

The orders place a set of restrictions on the yobs, frequently banning them from the area where they are causing the problems.

An ASBO is made by magistrates acting in a civil capacity and the right to anonymity available to under-18s appearing in youth courts does not apply.

The public is encouraged to report any breaches - but if the youths breach the order, a criminal offence, they appear at youth court and restrictions apply to identifying them unless the bench decides to lift the ban.

The media can apply for these restrictions to be lifted, but the application can be rejected by the magistrates, even when the youths have already been named at the earlier hearing.

The proposed review of the restrictions has been passed on to the Department of Constitutional Affairs, which is currently considering the proposal.

Echo executive editor Peter Tate said: "We are grateful to Chief Inspector Maton for raising this contradictory legislation at such a high level.

"Anonymity following previous identification makes no sense and certainly does not help the purpose for which ASBOs were intended - of enabling as many people as possible to monitor the future behaviour of youths who have been tagged as disruptive and antisocial."

First published: August 24