It is believed it would be the country's first family anti-social behaviour order (Asbo), if issued at Inverness Sheriff Court in two weeks' time.

Numerous complaints about the four, currently subject to an interim order since appearing in court in December, have been received by Highland Council.

The local authority is now seeking to have them banned from parts of their community, although they will still be able to live in South Kessock.

However, it has emerged it could be one of the last cases for the council's anti-social behaviour team which is unable to plan beyond 31st March when its budget runs out.

The team covers the Highlands from its base in Church Street, Inverness, with three full-time anti-social behaviour investigators and one part-time, as well as a part-time solicitor, administrative support and a full-time police liaison officer.

Team leader George Gough, a former police officer for 31 years, fears the end of guaranteed funding places a question mark over the future of the service.

"From the 1st April this year either there will be a different funding arrangement with Highland Council or the team won't exist," he said.

Mr Gough explained his staff investigated hundreds of cases with the aim of resolving problems without use of an order.

But statistics for the region show the figures are rising with 12 orders — eight in Inverness — issued last year, two more than in 2006.

All Asbo recipients have so far been are male, with the youngest aged 16 and the oldest 51. Half of the orders are being served on people in their 30s.

Most frequently cases involve noisy neighbours with complaints including loud music, shouting and fighting, as well as alcohol and drug-related behaviour.

If an Asbo is broken, those involved can be arrested and appear before the court again with the possibility of a jail term.

Highland Council's SNP group leader Councillor John Finnie said last night the local authority was seeking clarity from ministers on funding the tackling of anti-social behaviour but stressed it was a priority for the council's Independent/SNP administration and he did not envisage any significant change.

Inverness Central councillor Bet McAllister (Labour) said at least half of the calls from her constituents were concerned with anti-social behaviour, adding that the financial situation was worrying and to lose the team would be a backward step.

However, fellow ward councillor Donnie Kerr (SNP) believed the system should be reviewed and criticised the lengthy process involved in following through cases.

"Asbos were sold to us by the Scottish Executive as a quick fix to anti-social problems, but they have never proved to be that," he said.

"We have to really examine it and see if we're getting good value for money and if not think up something else."

The council's Budget Working Group could debate the situation tomorrow as it prepares budgetary details ahead of next week's full council meeting.

andrew.dixon@inverness-courier.co.uk

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