Blunkett promises to increase use of restriction orders

David Blunkett, the Home Secretary, promised yesterday to increase the use of anti- social behaviour orders to crack down on harassment.

But he came under fire from Ann Widdecombe, his shadow minister, over declining police numbers and intimidation, which she said had turned people's lives into "a living hell".

Mr Blunkett was asked during his first Commons question time as Home Secretary about the 214 restraining orders imposed since the system was introduced in 1999. Courts can impose the civil orders to ban people from repeating behaviour that causes harassment or distress.

Kevin Brennan, Labour MP for Cardiff West, asked Mr Blunkett whether he could increase the use of the restraining orders. Mr Blunkett replied that he wanted to strengthen the orders and spread them more widely.

He was attacked over falls in the number of uniformed police since 1997. Miss Widdecombe said: "The number of regular officers is now 1,639 fewer than the same time in 1997.

"There are 7,500 fewer special constables than in May 1997. What comfort can you give to people who suffer the sort of menace when somebody was harassed literally to death, the sort of harassment we now see regularly as a daily occurrence, making people's lives a living hell?"

Mr Blunkett said: "There are now, compared with last year, 1,577 additional non- uniformed staff in the police service. They matter as well."

Fiona MacTaggart, Labour MP for Slough, warned: "There is a recruitment crisis in the areas around London, particularly areas such as Slough, which have high crime levels."

Mr Blunkett replied: "There is a problem and it has to be addressed."