The Northern Ireland Office is planning tough new court orders for hooligans who rampage across the North's towns and cities.
Powers to curb the threat of thugs and vandals were contained in proposals announced by Criminal Justice Minister John Spellar. A paper sent out for public consultation also included plans to draw up special contracts that young offenders must sign.
Mr Spellar said: "Anti-social behaviour causes fear and anxiety in the community and the Government is pledged to tackling the menace at every level.
"This consultation process puts forward a package of measures for public consultation to combat neighbourhood disorder." The Minister revealed that the package included plans to introduce Anti-Social Behaviour Orders.
"These could be imposed by a court where there is a conviction for a related criminal offence or, if there is no conviction, on application by police, district councils or Housing Executive, working in partnership," he said.
Other measures involve developing Acceptable Behaviour Contracts (ABCs) as a warning to culprits, including young people and their parents. Although the Northern Ireland Office sees this as an attempt to cut out trouble at grassroots level, the ABCs could lead to enforceable action.