NORTH Yorkshire magistrates could be given new powers to restrict the movement of thugs who terrorise their neighbours AFTER they come out of jail.

The move is an attempt to breathe new life into the Antisocial Behaviour Order (ASBO) initiative, which has so far failed to make an impact in the county.

ASBOs were supposed to play a vital role in the Government's fight against thugs who terrorise their neighbours.

But figures published earlier this year showed only ten ASBOs have been issued by North Yorkshire magistrates since they were introduced in April 1999.

Now the Government is planning to allow magistrates to hand out the ASBOs on top of the sentence which people convicted of antisocial crimes would normally receive.

This would help to overcome one of the major criticisms of ASBOs made by council officials and the police.

At the moment they have to go through several court hearings and gather a wealth of evidence - such as diaries of complaints from neighbours - before the orders are granted.

These court hearings are totally separate from any criminal offence the yob may have been charged with.

Home Office Minister John Denham said: "The community must be protected from antisocial behaviour by someone convicted of an offence, without the need to go through a separate court process.

"We want to make sure that these offenders cannot simply walk away from court or a prison sentence and carry on with their antisocial behaviour.

"This proposal will allow the courts, where evidence of persistent antisocial behaviour is presented, to restrict the ability of these offenders to continue to wreak havoc on their return to the community.

"They could also be faced with a custodial sentence if they breach the terms of the ASBO."

The proposals are included in amendments to the Police Reform Bill which are being debated in the House of Lords.

Also included are a further raft of measures to improve the take-up of ASBOs which were originally announced in January.

These include allowing magistrates to issue "interim" ASBOs prior to a full court hearing, at the first court appearance.

Other changes include allowing ASBOs to "travel" with the offenders. At present they only place restrictions on a yob's behaviour in specific areas - so when they move they can take their bad behaviour with them.

In addition, plans are being considered to allow registered social

landlords and British Transport Police to apply for the orders for the first time.

ASBOs can stop a troublemaker visiting a particular street or building or from harassing a particular person.

Because they are a civil order, they require less strict evidence than if a person was charged with an offence in a criminal court.

They can be used against anyone over ten years old, with a maximum penalty of five years in prison or detention if the order is breached.

Updated: 11:31 Wednesday, March 13, 2002