Saturday: An Asbos Day.

Asbos

Asbos were once used to clamp down

on unruly teenagers.

Now they are being used in

petty disputes between neighbours

First they came for the hoodlums,

and we did not speak up,

because teenagers get

on everyone’s nerves.

But next they’re coming for you,

with your small dispute.

And your only defence will be:

“But he started it.”

Anti-social behaviour order

An Asbos was a civil order made in the United Kingdom against a person who had been shown, on the balance of evidence, to have engaged in anti-social behaviour.

They were designed to address behavior like intimidation, drunkenness, and violence by individuals and families, using civil orders rather than criminal sanctions.

The orders restricted behaviour in some way, such as prohibiting a return to a certain area or shop, or restricting public behaviour such as swearing or drinking alcohol. 

Freedom of speech can result in an Asbos.