SERGEANT Dave Bax looks at the effect the ASBOs have had on people in Wisbech: Elizabeth Manning, 18, of Southwell Road, was given a two-year ASBO last August for drinking, causing damage, and acting anti-socially. She was in custody on average of 3-5 ti

SERGEANT Dave Bax looks at the effect the ASBOs have had on people in Wisbech:

Elizabeth Manning, 18, of Southwell Road, was given a two-year ASBO last August for drinking, causing damage, and acting anti-socially. She was in custody on average of 3-5 times per month. She breached her order on two occasions with the court sentencing her to three months imprisonment.

On release she has not been arrested and charged with any offences, and has moved to King's Lynn where she has completed a 12-week Prince's Trust Course. She invited police to her pass out event.

Sgt Bax said: "She admitted the ASBO had been of some good to her as she had boundaries that she knew she couldn't breach."

Brothers James and Gary Ladds, and their friend Liam Green, were banned from entering the main shopping areas of Wisbech in December.

James, 29, Gary, 24, both of Kinderley Road, and Liam, 24, of Storbeck Road, had almost 50 theft convictions between them.

Sgt Bax said: "Since their ASBOs none of them have been captured in the town centre. Liam has come on immensely since leaving prison. None of these have been arrested and charged for other offences since their orders were made."

Antonio Barros, 22, of Albion Place, was given an interim ASBO banning him from entering Wisbech town centre between 8am-8pm.

He is also not allowed to enter the areas around Aldi, Sandown Rd, and Asda, or use abusing, insulting, harassing, threatening or otherwise acting in a manner which is likely to cause nuisance, harassment, alarm or distress to any person within Fenland.

Sgt Bax said: "He has not breached any condition."

Since being released he feels the prohibitions will help him, and he has organised assistance with his drug habit.

"Let's not forget that his offending escalates into violence, as his habit increases," said Sgt Bax.

Jonathan Holmes, 41, is a prolific shoplifter with more than 200 convictions. He was given a three-year ASBO in October banning him from the town centre.

Sgt Bax said: "The ASBO has protected the community, and in fact united it in capturing him prior to committing another shoplifting.

"He has been arrested on numerous occasions, with two terms of imprisonment. The exclusion from the town centre has really affected his offending behaviour. The partnership has tried to help Jonathan, and recently he has taken the decision to move away from Wisbech."

Richard Branch, 40, of no fixed abode, has an interim ASBO banning him from entering Wisbech town centre and prohibited from abusing, insulting, harassing, threatening or acting in a manner likely to cause harm, nuisance or distress.

Sgt Bax said: "This individual was served with an interim ASBO on May 6, 2009.

He was seen by police officers walking around the perimeter of the town centre exclusion zone, and approached those officers in a panic, to clarify what he could or couldn't do.

"He has breached his interim order, and was caught searching the bins in the Horsefair car park. It is thought that he had misunderstood his order, and had entered the bus station car park, even though he wasn't going to catch a bus.

"It is essential that both enforcement action and media are used for each ASBO to show the community that we are tackling anti-social behaviour head on."

Branch is excluded from licensed premises within the town centre.

Michelle Harris, 43, of Bath Road, Wisbech was given an ASBO after a prolonged campaign of harassment and threats.

It means she must not act in a way that is threatening, insulting or abusive anywhere in Fenland.

She is also banned from encouraging any of her friends or family members to harass anyone in the area or cause a nuisance.

Sgt Bax said: "She has not breached the order, and didn't bother turning up at court for the full hearing.

"Finally, ASBOs give the community and the police the opportunity to act against offenders before they commit public order or theft offences."

Loran Freedman, 52, also known as Alicia Bourg, of Copperfields, was given an interim ASBO last week.

She is alleged to have abused, insulted and caused alarm and distress to residents in the Copperfields Estate.

The full hearing will take place after the decision is made in a Public Order Offence hearing at Fenland Magistrates' Court next Wednesday.

Sgt Bax said: "The Wisbech policing teams continue to target anti-social behaviour, and focus on individuals who are at the heart of perpetrating this type of behaviour.