 Crime and disorder Act 1998:
The aim of this act was to abolish the presumption of “doli incapax”. Doli Incapax was the rule that children aged 10-13 is presumed to be incapable to form the necessary criminal intent. As well as this, there were a few other aims such as: to abolish the death penalty for treason and piracy; make changes to the criminal justice system; to make further provision for dealing with offenders; to make further provision with respect to remands and committals for trial and the release and recall of prisoners.

As a result of this act, it created the anti-social behaviour order which was designed to stop people from taking part in activities that are seen as anti-social. There were quite a few provisions. These included: An ASBO only being issued if the person has behaved in a way “that caused or was likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress”; created two schemes for youth crime: child safety orders for those under 10 and parenting orders where parents are held responsible for their child who has been given an ASBO. “ASBO” is short for anti-social behaviour order. In addition, it created a sex offender order which bans offenders from activities/areas where children take part in/visit. It abolishes the death penalty for treason or piracy and introduces separate offences for crimes that were provoked by the victim’s race or presumed race. Finally, it allows police/local bodies to draw up a crime and disorder strategy in their area.

In 1997, Tony Blair told voters Labour would be “tough on crime” and would have a “zero tolerance” attitude towards crime. Once he had announced this, home secretary Jack Straw proclaimed that he wanted new laws to create safer communities. His aim was to target low-crime, persistent trouble makers. He formed the base for a new youth justice framework document. This