Bristol teenager banned from large area of city
He's not allowed to associate with five friends and even a member of his own family
A Bristol teenager is being banned from associating with five friends and even a member of his own family for three years, because of persistent anti social behaviour.
Avon and Somerset Police say a Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) has been granted against the 17-year-old, who they haven't named, after he failed to adhere to less serious sanctions or work with agencies offering him support.
During a hearing at Bristol Magistrates Court the boy admitted persistent anti-social behaviour, largely in the St Pauls area, but denied breaching a Community Protection Notice, only for officers to then show footage of him breaching it.
As well as banning him from associating with five friends and the family member, the CBO also bans the boy from:
- Entering any part of East Bristol unless it is to attend an appointment with his solicitors, police, Safer Options or to attend court.
- Posting, featuring in or being present at the recording of any audio/video that encourages violence or expresses positive views about violence.
- Wearing or carrying a balaclava or face covering in a public place save for advice from the NHS.
Inspector Tom Tooth said: “Our aim is always to help young people make the right choices and steer them away from criminality.
“We’ve been working closely with other agencies for several months to do everything we can to change this boy’s behaviour, however he has repeatedly rejected the support being offered to him.
“His conduct is more than just anti-social. He’s believed to be involved in the supply of drugs and is linked to several assaults as well as incidents in which people have been threatened with bladed weapons."
Inspector Tooth added that members of the community are so scared of the boy that they "are reluctant to support a criminal prosecution" for fear of then being targeted.
“People should feel safe in their communities and should have confidence in the criminal justice system to hold offenders accountable for their actions," Insp Tooth said.
“The CBO is designed to stop this boy from continuing his behaviour and aims to allow the communities within East Bristol the ability to safely go about their lives without fear of being a target or becoming a victim of his actions."
It is rare for a CBO to be granted against a young person for longer than 12 months, with officers saying this case sends a "clear message" that young people who get involved in crime and refuse help will find themselves facing "life changing" restrictions on their lives.
If he breaches the CBO the boy could be arrested and fined, or even imprisoned.