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Dictionary definition of “Asbo”

Asbo

n. a court order designed to curtail unwanted public behavior. Also ASBO. Subjects: , , , ,
Etymological Note: anti-social behaviour order
Citations: 1997 Raymond Duncan The Herald (Glasgow, Scotland) (Nov. 17) “Minister seeks legislation for stronger powers over anti-social tenants” p. 7: The move would give Scotland’s local authorities, who would be able to apply for Anti-Social Behaviour Orders (Asbos), greater clout in trying to deal with unruly tenants.…It would be unprecedented for the police to apply direct to the civil courts in Scotland, and Mr McLeish has gone along with this and proposed only council involvement in seeking Asbos. 1999 Nottingham Evening Post (U.K.) (July 13) “More ‘noise’ action”: Individuals who break the conditions will be charged with a criminal offence. But Mr Coaker revealed that only one ASBO has been issued nationally since the guidelines were introduced in April. 2002 BBC News (Apr. 2) “Report shows yob order gaps”: Anti-social behaviour orders, introduced in 1999, work successfully where they are implemented, according to the new Home Office study.…Known as Asbos, the orders are designed to prevent theft, intimidation, drunkenness, violence and other nuisance behaviour.

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