Commenting on the Scottish Government's proposals to tackle anti-social behaviour, including the more sparing use of anti-social behaviour orders (Asbos), Liberal Democrat Justice spokesperson Robert Brown MSP said:

"We have to move on from short term fixes. The focus has to be on tackling the root causes of crime and anti-social behaviour.

"Liberal Democrats believe that Asbos can be expensive, bureaucratic and often don't work.

"We think a more positive approach to tackling anti-social behaviour would be the Acceptable Behaviour Contracts. These could be linked to measures to divert young people from anti-social behaviour in the first place."

Ends.