A Bradford youth worker with a passion for helping young people with behavioural problems is “delighted” the Government has sounded the death knell for the policy of slapping Asbos on teenage troublemakers.

Home Secretary Theresa May recently said it was “time to move beyond” the Asbo to a new policy where people and communities would work together to stop bad behaviour escalating.

Today, her comments were backed by 58-year-old Gerry Hannah, founder of the Frizinghall-based Parenting Together organisation, which introduces parents to each other and to various organisations for young people and families.

Mr Hannah said: “For many years, I’ve worked with children with behavioural problems who are on remand and heading for a life of crime.

“I can honestly say that I’m delighted to see the end of Asbos because any kind of formal punishment or any kind of recognition for what they have done is a bad thing.

“Theresa May spoke about the solution coming from within the homes of citizens, and it does. In Bradford, we are ahead of the game on this one. Parenting Together is a new project I set up to get parents networking so they know what their children are up to. If there’s a problem, we can also introduce them to the many agencies that are there to help them.

“There are some wonderful agencies already in place in Bradford and some great experts. Theresa May only needs to say the word and they’re ready to step up to the mark.”

Mr Hannah continued: “It’s around when they are 12 or 13 that youngsters start carrying on behind their parents’ backs. Many have no idea their children are taking drugs or carrying out burglaries. In relation to that type of problem, Theresa May was talking about involving community experts that already work within that community to prevent anti-social behaviour.

“It’s about making sure the parents are working together and aware of what’s going on. If the parents know their children are mixed up in something like that, they’ll try everything possible to stop it.”

Mr Hannah said that, although his project was only in its infancy, he had already had interest from five Bradford schools that were looking to get involved.