YORK'S most prolific beggar and an Acomb "neighbour from hell" came before the courts yesterday. The beggar immediately returned to the streets and the neighbour is back at home.

On the face of it this could be read as another failure by the authorities. But that would be unfair. In both cases, real progress has been made.

We congratulate York magistrates for serving the city's first anti-social behaviour order against nuisance begging (ASBO) on Jeffrey Ward.

Previous punishments have proved worthless. In the past year alone he has chalked up 28 convictions, receiving fines he had no hope or intention of paying.

The ASBO should put an end to what police call the "revolving door syndrome". Ward must now stop begging or go to jail.

It says much about Ward's desperation that he considers prison the only cure for his drug habit. We hope he embraces the support already available and stays out of jail.

But we also hope that the ASBO sends out a message that York is finally getting tough on begging.

Many beggars are aggressive and intimidating. They ignore the support network which exists to help them kick addictions and resume a more fulfilled life. A zero tolerance approach is good for York and for the beggars.

Karen Warwick's behaviour is also anti-social, as her neighbours know only too well. Her children and her dog appear to be out of control.

She has been given a last chance. A York County Court judge has told her that she faces immediate eviction if the situation does not improve.

Losing a house; losing liberty. These are real and necessary threats to those whose selfishness is immune to all other remedies.

Updated: 10:44 Thursday, March 25, 2004