ONE of the new law enforcement tools, a Criminal Behaviour Order, has been put in place in Southend for the first time, and the 16-year-old subject of the order, Kye Lewis, has been named by magistrates.

It remains to be seen how effective this can be in halting antisocial behaviour.

CBOs have replaced the ASBOs introduced by Tony Blair’s government. While the objective is the same, the system is intended to work differently.

CBOs are the responsibility of local magistrates, and are intended to reflect directly the will of the local community.

Certainly, the will of the local community in parts of Southchurch seems in little doubt when it comes to Kye Lewis.

His long list of offences, including assault, is breathtaking, and he and his gang have spread fear on the streets.

It provides a strong case study to support what Home Secretary Teresa May said when introducing the orders.

Antisocial behaviour makes the lives of many ordinary people a misery. It should not be treated as some inescapable fact of life. It can and must be tackled, and the CBO provides a potential solution.

The public may find the distinction between ASBOs and CBOs technical. What ultimately matters, though, is the result. We will be able to judge the effectiveness, or otherwise, of CBOs in the months ahead.