A TEENAGER from Southampton has become the first youth in the city to be locked up for breaching an anti-social behaviour order (ASBO).

The 16-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, had an ASBO passed on him in October last year after causing endless problems to the community in Northam.

Obtained by Southampton City Council working with Hampshire police, the order banned him from engaging in anti-social behaviour including causing criminal damage, drinking in public and unlawfully taking, driving or riding any vehicle within Southampton.

Now Southampton Youth Court has sentenced the boy to eight months in a young offenders' institute after breaching his ASBO by riding a moped without a licence, plus four other separate offences.

Chief Inspector Matthew Greening, of Southampton police, said: "ASBOs are a relatively new tool for us to use and they can be a very effective way of tackling people whose behaviour is not criminal but does have a serious effect on the community in which they live.

"We would prefer to find ways of preventing that behaviour from happening and work with the local authority and communities to find ways to help people avoid continuing behaviour which causes distress to other people."

A representative of the tenants and residents' association in Northam added: "This should act as a warning to other youths that this behaviour won't be tolerated.

"This young man caused constant nuisance, and the atmosphere in the community has been a lot more peaceful since the ASBO was served."