Bracknell

A 16-year-old former Bracknell boy has signed an acceptable behaviour contract (ABC) with Thames Valley Police and Bracknell Forest Borough Council, in which he agrees to curb his offending behaviour.

The teenager, who is currently living away from the Bracknell area, has been involved in a number of incidents in the town, including vandalism and public disorder.

Under the terms of the six-month contract, which started on 20 December 2007, the boy has agreed not to associate with specific named individuals; not to encourage others to commit crimes such as damage, theft, stealing cars and assault; not to drink alcohol or smoke cannabis, or be under the influence of alcohol or cannabis, in a public place; and not to strike, or cause to be struck, property belonging to other people.

The teenager recently pleaded guilty to an offence of criminal damage in the town centre (breaking a window) in early December, for which he is being dealt with by the courts.

PC Marius York, anti-social behaviour officer for Bracknell Forest police area, said: “The terms of this contract have been worked out with the young man himself. We hope that his direct involvement in the process will increase the chances of him keeping to the conditions of the ABC.

“I and my colleagues in the Youth Offending Service at Bracknell Forest Borough Council will be reviewing the ABC regularly and encouraging the teenager to abide by his agreement. He fully understands that if he breaches the conditions, this may result in an application to the Magistrates’ Court for an anti-social behaviour order (ASBO).”

Joanna Simpkins, Bracknell Forest Borough Council's Anti-Social Behaviour Co-ordinator, said: "ABCs are a successful tool for tackling anti-social behaviour before the problems spiral out of control, requiring enforcement action. We have had a total of 28 ABCs in Bracknell Forest with both adults and young people.

"The majority of these have had a positive impact for both the recipients and the communities affected, resulting in no further action. However, individuals subject to ABCs are made fully aware of the consequences of any breaches, and we will not hesitate to take further action where breaches occur".

Thames Valley Police ~ Bracknell