Yobs: We've let people down says crime adviser

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Louise Casey also criticised the criminal justice system, saying it appeared to most people as a "criminal's justice system" and that instead they wanted a "public justice system".

Citing the case of Fiona Pilkington, who killed herself and her disabled daughter after suffering months of abuse from local bullies, she told The Times: "Honestly, I think we have let people down.

"I am not suggesting that anybody is personally responsible for the extraordinarily tragic case of Mrs Pilkington and her daughter, but can you go to bed at night knowing everything is being done to prevent these things from happening? That is the test."

Ms Pilkington, 38, killed herself and her 18-year-old daughter Francecca by setting fire to their car in October 2007. An inquest found the police and the local authorities had failed to respond adequately to her repeated complaints.

Ms Casey, who works at the Home Office tackling anti-social behaviour, added: "You need to nip it in the bud as early as possible.

"There is no point in giving someone a warning letter if, when they rip it up, you don't go and visit them.

"There is no point doing a home visit which they ignore. There is no point doing interventions if there is no end product."

Her own research has shown two-thirds of the public think the system respects the rights of the offender more than the victim.

"The public need to know that people who break the rules face consequences, otherwise they give up hope," she said.

Last week the Home Secretary launched a new drive against anti-social behaviour, saying ministers had "cruised" on the issue in the recent past.

In future, when an Asbo is breached by a young person, their parents will automatically be put under a court order.

And Victim Support services will be extended to all victims of anti-social behaviour who give evidence against their attackers in magistrates courts, he said.

Gordon Brown made tackling anti-social behaviour a centre piece of his Labour Party conference speech last month.