A new bad behaviour busting approach in the Braintree district has yet to be put to use, despite being introduced two months ago.

The Acceptable Behaviour Contract (ABC) known as "yob contracts" were launched as a joint project between Braintree police and the district council, as an ambitious new approach to tackling social disputes.

It was designed to tackle unsocial behaviour such as loud music, rowdy or offensive behaviour or dog control in Braintree, Witham and Halstead, by getting those responsible to sign a contract promising to mend their ways.

The approach had the aim of reducing the number of cases going to court and giving the local authority power to settle disputes without going through lots of red tape.

But since being introduced in November, no cases have yet got to the stage where an ABC has been deemed appropriate.

Richard Scott, council spokesman for the initiative, said: "Although we have a few cases in the pipeline where an ABC might be used, we have as yet had no contracts agreed."

Published Thursday, January 16, 2003

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