To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many (a) serious crime prevention orders and (b) antisocial behaviour orders have been issued in England and Wales since their introduction; (284645)

Antisocial behaviour orders (ASBOs) became available from 1 April 1999. The number of ASBOs issued at all courts in England and Wales between 1 April 1999 and 31 December 2007 (latest available) was 14,972.

ASBOs can be of a fixed duration (minimum two years) or made until further order. It is therefore not possible to determine from centrally collected data how many ASBOs are in force at a particular point in time.

Serious crime prevention orders became available on 6 April 2009. Up to 31 May 2009 the Serious Organised Crime Agency had secured 19 such orders and we understand that three further orders had been secured by other law enforcement authorities.