With the two youths made the subject of Bexleys first anti-social behaviour

orders, LINDA PIPER asks whether the measure is a failure or success

THE two young people made the subject of Bexleys first anti-social behaviour orders are now both behind bars.

Joshua Easom, aged 15 when the order was made in July, is in youth custody after being convicted of crimes outside the orders restrictions.

His younger brother Aaron, now 13, is in secure council accommodation for the next two months, having breached the terms of his order.

So, with the police and the council about to make a move on anti-social behaviour in the Sidcup area, does that mean the orders were a success or a failure?

Both the police and Bexley Council, which worked closely together to achieve the orders, have some mixed feelings.

Detective Chief Inspector Keith Eldridge, from Bexleyheath police, said he was pleased at the outcome of Aaron Easoms case, heard in the youth court last week.

He said: It sends a signal that the orders have teeth which will be used when needed if the orders are breached.

And I am hopeful that now this has happened perhaps future orders will be more effective. It sends a message to those who think the orders are ineffectual, that you breach them at your peril.

When the police and Bexley Council organised a crackdown on anti-social behaviour by Welling youngsters, they got the ringleaders and their parents to sign an Acceptable Behaviour Contract.

DCI Eldridge sees these as a first step towards an ASBO.

He added: We can try the contract and if that is broken we can then go to court for an order.

In some ways it is good this has happened. It shows these orders are serious. Although the order is a civil matter, breaching one is a criminal offence.

Both the police and Bexley Council were pleased that, when making the original order, stipendiary magistrate Michael Kelly decided it was in the public interest to name both the boys and make the terms of their orders public.

This allowed the community in Belvedere to help police the orders and report breaches which eventually led to Aaron Easoms appearance in court last week.

Bexley Council spokesman Mark Harrison said: In some ways, this was a success and in others, a failure.

We are disappointed the order was breached and that, by itself, it wasnt sufficient to control or alter behaviour.

But we always said we were determined to enforce them and we have done just that.

But he says the case of the Easom brothers was unusual because they were already involved in criminal behaviour before the orders were made.

He added: We had hoped the orders might bring an end to the criminal activities, but the penalty for breaching the order was probably a lot greater than any likely to have been given to a youngster for committing a crime.

Bexley and the police are looking closely at applying for about half-a-dozen orders on other people involved in disorderly rather than criminal behaviour.

And Mr Harrison appealed to the community to get involved in helping to deal with the problem.

He says it is no use members of the public complaining unless they are prepared to play their part by making statements about bad behaviour to the police and going to court, if necessary, to provide evidence for an order.