Teenage tearaway hit with city's first 'Crasbo'

The 16-year-old boy racked up the charges for crimes including assault, theft, fire-raising and stealing cars, prompting a sheriff to slap him with the "Crasbo".

The move comes as police revealed that a handful of other under-16s from Craigmillar and Niddrie may be targeted with Crasbos in the coming months.

The teenage boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was given the order after being convicted of an assault at Edinburgh Sheriff Court last month.

Set to run until March 2012, it bans him from entering nine streets in the Niddrie area, as well as the Jack Kane Centre and the McDonald's restaurant at Fort Kinnaird Retail Park.

The youth, who lives in the area he has terrorised over the past two years, could be arrested if he is caught in the prohibited zones.

Community leaders today welcomed the move, adding that crime and antisocial behaviour was a "huge concern".

Terry Tweed, secretary of Craigmillar Community Council, said: "I'm all in favour of these orders. A couple of youths who live near me were given Asbos and it did change their behaviour.

"But they have to be enforced. The problem can be that they break the orders, the police pick them up and the court puts them back on the street. There needs to be tough enforcement."

On his Bebo website, the teenager boasts of his involvement with a local gang, and brags that "fighting" is among his favourite sports. The youth has also posted images of wrecked cars in Craigmillar which have been burnt out by joyriders.

Local Labour councillor Maureen Child said: "I know that crime and antisocial behaviour in the area is something which is a huge concern to my constituents. It's good news that such an order has been given.

"In my discussions with the police, they mentioned that this Crasbo might be a possibility and I thought it was a good step.

"There are problems in the area involving youths who believe they can cock a snook at the police and community. Hopefully this order will act as a deterrent."

SNP councillor Michael Bridgman, who also covers the ward, said: "Anything that can be used as a deterrent from this kind of offending has to be welcomed and we just have to hope that it has an effect."

Police chiefs appealed to a sheriff to apply a Crasbo when the teenager was convicted in his latest court case. The order was applied on top of his criminal sentence.

A police spokesperson said: "This Crasbo represents the culmination of a number of low-level criminal offences, which were disrupting communities and blighting everyday life for people.

"It is an effective way of responding quickly to tackle antisocial behaviour.

"The Crasbo also sends a strong message to other regular offenders that we are willing to use this legislation to target them."

FAST-TRACK TO THE SHERIFF

A "CRASBO" operates in the same way as an antisocial behaviour order (Asbo), but can be applied directly after a criminal conviction.

The orders give the police an opportunity to bypass the city council and appeal to a sheriff to issue one solely based on the offender's criminal history.

Typically, Asbos involve a long period of collecting evidence from victims, whereas Crasbos allow a "fast-tracking" of the process.

Offenders can be arrested by police for violating any of the terms of the order.

The 16-year-old boy can be sentenced for breaching the Crasbo, on top of any punishments from court, including "throwing missiles" and "stealing or attempting to steal any property".