WE have always been right behind Asbos. A minority of warped thugs may view them as a badge of honour but they have made life better for scores of us tormented by mindless yobs.
And Leeds can be proud of the fact it has led the way in terms of using such orders, seeing them as a key weapon in the city's ongoing fight to stamp out anti-social behaviour.
It gives law-abiding citizens heart to see yobs hauled before the cou
rts and hit with orders banning them from engaging in the disruptive activities that have made others' lives a misery.
But that is not to say the system is perfect.
Fifty-seven per cent of those handed an Asbo have breached its terms – a much higher proportion than that seen in comparable cities such as Manchester and Newcastle.
Furthermore, each Asbo costs a staggering £1,700 to enforce in the courts.
The council points out that this figure is below the national average of £2,500 – but it still seems too high.
It is sickening to think that we end up paying twice for the transgressions of an unruly minority.
Firstly when they make our lives miserable with their antics and secondly when it comes to hauling them before the courts to put a stop to them.
Nearly £165,000 of taxpayers' money has gone into securing Asbos against these louts.
We don't for a minute regret spending that sort of money if that is what it takes to tackle this problem.
But it is hard to believe there are not ways for a council that takes such a keen interest in Asbos to reduce that figure still further.
Quick response
HERE'S something you don't hear that often.
Health chiefs implemented a plan to improve the service they offer the public... and it's actually working.
Take a bow bosses at the Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust who have engineered a four per cent increase in the number of the most serious calls their crews reach within their eight-minute target time.
Four per cent may not sound like much.
But it's good to see at least one wing of our health system is getting better, not worse.
Charity appeal
LADY Marmalade Margaret Wilson churns out more than 200 jars of the stuff every year for charity.
Sales of the pensioner's orange and lemon preserves net Leeds Methodist Mission Church a tidy sum that helps it do good works across the city.
Keep going Margaret.
This is one fundraising idea that's got lots of ap-peel.
