Police Rebel Against ASBO’s

Jack McConnell is facing open revolt by police after Scotland’s biggest force accused him of sending out “mixed messages” on crime and of forcing them to police “by league table”. Stratchlyde Police said the first minister was playing a “numbers game”, pressuring them to issue Anti-social Behaviour Orders (Asbos) and dispersal orders to boost crime clear-up statistics. In an unprecedented attack, the force said it was easy for McConnell to look tough on crime but by relying so heavily on Asbos he risked unfairly criminalising young people.

The criticism follows comments by David Strang, the chief constable of Dumfries and Galloway, who said yesterday there was a “disproportionate fear” of the criminal threat posed by young people and that the number of Asbos issued was not an accurate measure of success in the fight against youth disorder.

The backlash follows claims by the first minister that chief constables and council leaders are not making full use of their powers.

McConnell spoke of his “absolute dismay” that the powers were not being more widely used. Describing the situation as “inexcusable”, he warned that he would “force the pace” unless police and council chiefs responded to his concerns.

McConnell is determined to be seen as tough on crime ahead of next year’s Holyrood election, where he will face a serious challenge from the Lib Dems, his junior coalition partners, and a resurgent SNP.

In the most strident criticism yet by a senior police officer, chief superintendent John Pollock, head of community safety at Strathclyde, said McConnell had “missed the point”.

“My concern is about mixed messages being given. Anti-social behaviour orders are being granted more and more, but our primary interest is to prevent it from happening,” he said.

“We would much rather the child appreciates that the behaviour they are undertaking is likely to lead to a request for an Asbo unless they desist.”

McConnell’s flagship policy has been beset by problems since it was launched two years ago. Last month local authorities wrote a letter to the executive saying they would not bow to pressure to issue more orders to under-16s.

The Scottish executive denied it was making forces police “by league table”.

A spokesman said: “We expect all of the various measures provided through the Act to be used where appropriate to tackle local problems.”