Controversial plans to give resident groups on yob-plagued council estates the power to apply for antisocial behaviour orders (Asbos) have been met with scepticism.

Under new Government measures, associations will be able to apply for the orders, which ban yobs from behaving badly in certain areas.

All of the residents' groups will be assessed before being given the new powers and the Government said it will come with "clear safeguards" to make sure the measures are not abused.

Yet Richard Winter, chairman of the residents' association at Basildon's Crayland estate, doubted the plans would work.

He said: "I know of some areas where Asbos work, but they don't appear to be working in and around the Craylands area."

Mr Winter also expressed concern residents' associations could be targeted by people subjected to orders.

He said: "Residents groups would need registered addresses for their chairman and secretaries and if that group decides to apply for an Asbo it could work against them if the person, who is the subject of it, wanted to be vindictive."

Peter Burch, chairman of the Castle Point Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership, was also unconvinced.

He explained: "Residents' groups can't just complain about one incident, like a rowdy party, as a basis for an Asbo.

"The problems have got to be over a period of time and the group has got to collect the evidence, collate it and put it together as a package to present to the court and that is a mammoth task.

"It's better if they approach councillors who can take the evidence to the council's anti-social behaviour co-ordinator and they can collate the evidence and take the matter forward."

But chairman of the Eastwood Park Residents' Association Donna Williams welcomed the new measures.

She said: "A lot of residents' groups are set up because areas have nuisance problems and if they are being given more powers to deal with those problems it is a good thing."

Asbos are a key part of the Government's "respect" agenda, but separate reports from the Home Office and the National Audit Office in December found between 47 per cent and 55 per cent have been breached in England and Wales.