Magistrates must put the needs of communities above those of individual criminals, according to the top Government civil servant responsible for tackling antisocial behaviour.

Louise Casey, director of the Home Office antisocial behaviour unit, told the Evening Press that magistrates must "actively listen" to the people they serve.

Speaking at the Yorkshire launch of a centre of excellence for tackling nuisance acts, she said magistrates must be consistent and use the legislation which is available to them.

Her comments come only two days after York magistrates refused to impose an antisocial behaviour order (ASBO) on prolific shoplifter Scott Wilson to ban him from a group of York stores, because they felt the measure was "too draconian".

Two weeks earlier magistrates said they would not make an order banning a young shoplifter from stores because they were not convinced his crimes caused distress to shopkeepers and customers.

Mrs Casey said ASBOs were "important to give reassurance to communities" and that new guidance was being issued to magistrates on their use.

She said that specialist Crown prosecutors were also being brought into regions, including Yorkshire, to work with magistrates and court clerks to make sure the powers are used effectively.

She said: "What we need is greater consistency from the bench so individual cases are not left standing out like a sore thumb. Although I cannot comment on individual cases, we are looking at benches actively listening to communities, and sometimes putting the communities first, rather than individual perpetrators.

"I feel very strongly, as do ministers and the Prime Minister, that witnesses, victims and communities do not come last in the justice process, as many feel they do."

Police and community crime-fighters are keen to bring the full variety of punishments and restraints against those responsible for persistent low-level crimes such as theft and begging.

Updated: 11:21 Thursday, March 18, 2004