Police in Kirklees have implemented new tougher powers to tackle persistent offenders and smash a gang culture.
And it is believed to be a first for West Yorkshire.
The newly-implemented Criminal Behaviour Orders have been handed to two Huddersfield teenagers who were convicted of robbery last month.
The orders are designed to ‘have more teeth’ than the Anti-Social Behaviour Orders they are replacing as they allow authorities to intervene sooner if they don’t comply.
As part of the convictions the youths have been banned from associating with each other or entering large parts of Huddersfield including Dalton, Almondbury and Waterloo.
Chief Supt Tim Kingsman of Kirklees Police, said: “These two males have been the subject of attention from the Kirklees Partnership, in which staff from both Kirklees Council and Kirklees Police have been working hard for some time to target those suspected of anti-social behaviour.
“We are putting in place measures, such as CBO’s, to make communities safer.
“These CBO’s give authorities more powers to monitor and mange those who have brought harm to their communities.
“I hope the use of these new powers and the substantial sentences handed to these offenders will send out a very strong message that those who think it is acceptable to behave in this fashion will be punished.”
Mr Kingsman added: “It is a fact that crime is coming down in Kirklees and our streets are becoming safer. Tackling gang culture has been a key part of our work to tackle anti -social behaviour and related street crime and I am very pleased officers in this division have been able to secure these new orders, almost as soon as the powers have become available.”
The 16-year-old from Huddersfield was sentenced to 48 months in custody for robbery.
The 17-year-old from Dalton received 28 months for a robbery in May this year and for burglary and handling stolen goods.
Criminal Behaviour Orders were introduced last year under the Anti-Social Behaviour Crime Policing Act 2014 and replaced anti-social behaviour orders.
They came into force in late Autumn and gave courts the power to impose conditions on offenders, such as attending courses, rather than just restrictions, as previously imposed under ABSO’s.
Sgt Andrew Lockwood of the partnership said: “This is a fantastic result and shows a joined-up approach between the investigators of the crimes these youths have been found guilty of and the partnership as a whole. In addition it’s pleasing to be one of the first partnerships to utilise the new powers effectively. Well done to all those involved.”
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