Witnesses could give evidence from behind screens, or via video link

Some 786 Asbos were issued in England and Wales from October to December 2004, up 116% on that quarter of 2003. Since 1999, 4,649 have been issued.

Measures to protect vulnerable Asbo witnesses come into force this week.

Home Office Minister Hazel Blears said anti-social behaviour was a "menace" but human rights group Liberty said Asbos were not a "cure-all solution".

And shadow home secretary David Davis condemned their use as a "sticking plaster over an amputation".

Witness protection

The figures showed juveniles were given 44% of the orders in the last three months of 2004 - a 1% fall on the previous quarter.

Greater Manchester now had the highest number of Asbos (710), followed by London (448), West Yorkshire (361) and the West Midlands (342).

Recent cases included brothers aged 10 and 12 banned from swearing, making rude gestures, damaging property, starting fires and throwing missiles.

Asbos make a real difference to people's lives Hazel Blears Lottery winner given Asbo

A 79-year-old woman was also served with an order for harassing her neighbours.

Ms Blears announced new measures in the fight against anti-social behaviour that come into effect on Friday.

These include allowing witnesses in anti-social behaviour cases to testify from behind screens in court or by video link, with intermediaries to handle communication between them and police.

Automatic reporting restrictions will be lifted in anti-social behaviour cases to allow local media to publish details of people who breach their Asbos.

The minister also announced a �500,000 increase in funding for Individual Support Orders (ISOs) for Asbo recipients aged between 10 and 17.

ISOs can be attached to an Asbo in a bid to tackle the causes of the anti-social behaviour by, for example, ordering people to attend anger management or alcohol and drug misuse programmes.

'Selfish minority'

Ms Blears said Asbos made a "real difference" to people's lives by "helping to rebuild confidence in communities and bringing the actions of a selfish minority to task".

But Mr Davis said the government's "obsession" with Absos was not dealing with "yobbish" behaviour or deterring young people from criminality.

He called for alternative punishments to custody for those who breach orders, such as reparation orders for parents or taking culprits' driving licences away.

Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman Mark Oaten said Asbos were a "quick, short-term solution".