| A snapshot of the ASBO action taken by authorities during 2007/08 reveals the true extent of the misery — from late-night noise to aggressive behaviour and violence — caused in communities across the city.
Details obtained from the city council under Freedom of Information show there are 25 live ASBOs obtained in that period.
Authorities were successful in obtaining an ASBO against a 70-year-old who was making life a misery for neighbours in the city’s Kenmore Terrace.
The unnamed pensioner is barred for two years from using his television or stereo at excessive volume, and from shouting, swearing or threatening people.
Meanwhile, a 64-year-old resident of Hepburn Street landed himself an order barring him from “carrying a hammer, axe or similar tool or weapon on the common close”.
The youngest recipient was a 13-year-old, whose two-year ASBO covers violent behaviour against anyone in Dundee, stone-throwing, shoplifting and vandalism.
There is also an order in place against a 14-year-old who had to be prevented from “purchasing, attempting to purchase or being in possession of petrol, diesel or any other flammable liquid for the possession of which the defender has no lawful reason or authority”.
The Kirkton teenager is also barred from the company of a number of named young people and is subject to a curfew preventing him leaving home at night.
Two 16-year-olds were hit with orders in November preventing them harassing residents of Dykehead Place, throwing stones and bricks and drinking in a common close.
Elsewhere in Dundee, a Charleston Drive resident was slapped with an ASBO to stop him playing loud music, damaging neighbours’ property and threatening people in the area.
The 47-year-old is also forbidden to stand or appear naked at the front door of his home.
Others hit with orders in the last year include serial housebreakers — one is barred from a large area to the west of Dundee and from carrying a screwdriver or hammer.
And a six-year-order against a 26-year-old man forbids him working on motorbikes in Barra Terrace, revving vehicles and “doing wheelies” in the Mill o’ Mains area.
Dundee City Council has long claimed to be at the forefront of pioneering initiatives to tackle blights on communities, including the use of so-called “junior ASBOs”.
Councillor Jim Barrie, SNP social work spokesman, said last week the number of ASBOs against adults locally works out at about 20 a year “and that’s 20 too many really”.
“It’s clear every city in Scotland has its problems, and the question is what do we do to reduce this?” he said.
“We have to address it — we can’t just let it go.” |
