Criminal Justice and Immigration Bill

If the Government really want to reinforce the syndrome of ASBOs becoming a badge of honour, I can think of no better way than to put the child’s face and identity on the front of the local newspaper. That will simply add to the impression that they are a bit of a lad or a lass, and will encourage the child to revel in that situation. Apart from being totally contrary to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, it is unworkable. It will do no good at all. I challenge the Minister to tell us what evidence there is that the children who are named and shamed are less likely to break the terms of the ASBO and to reoffend than those whose names are kept confidential. I would like to see if there is evidence for that, because I do not believe that it exists.