Court challenge to Asbo laws
The High Court is today hearing a challenge to a city centre curfew imposed as part of the Government’s crackdown against anti-social behaviour.
The 15-year-old is being represented by civil liberties organisation Liberty in fighting the “dispersal zone” in Richmond, south-west London, which he says infringes his human rights.
Under the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003, police can arrest and send home people under the age of 16 found in the zone between 21:00 BST and 06:00 BST, whatever they are doing.
In the landmark case that could have huge implications for the Government’s ‘anti-yob’ laws, Liberty will argue that only those suspected of wrongdoing should be subject to sanctions.
However, a council spokesman said the zones had made an “important contribution” to reducing anti-social behaviour, while police say the Asbo powers are only used on troublemakers.
Liberty legal director James Welch said the Asbo legislation was indicative of Tony Blair’s short sightedness brought about by his desire to forge “a culture of respect in Britain”.
“He should remember that respect is a two-way street,” said Mr Welch.
“These powers fail to distinguish between the innocent and the guilty. No one objects to reasonable sanctions for bad behaviour. He should attack that behaviour and not all children.”
Although the teenage boy in question remains anonymous, he commented: “Of course I have no problem with being stopped by the police if I’ve done something wrong.
“But they shouldn’t be allowed to treat me like a criminal just because I’m under 16.”
Alex Gask, the Liberty legal officer acting for the teenager, said his client was a “model student who has never been in trouble with the police”.
