REGARDING the story Councillor Claims Asbos Are Wrong (News Shopper, October 19).

I did not claim they were necessarily wrong.

I spoke about the effectiveness of Horn Park's dispersal zone and said the jury is still out.

Dispersal zones and Asbos are draconian measures which may be justified by results.

We await a full assessment of their effectiveness. Less draconian measures, such as acceptable behaviour contracts seem to have an effect and are not punitive.

The restrictive or punitive measures we take must be coupled with measures to improve facilities.

It is the carrot as well as the stick.

CLLR HARRY POTTER

Middlepark and Sutcliffe