A REDDITCH man has been given a criminal antisocial behaviour order (CRASBO) which bans him from large parts of the town centre after a court was told of persistent shoplifting, drug taking and antisocial behaviour.

Samuel Crawley, aged 27, of Berkswell Close was also banned from taking drugs in any public place.

The CRASBO was granted by Kidderminster magistrates on Thursday, January 9, and will last for five years.

It bans him from using, either by injecting, inhaling, smoking or consuming, any illegal drugs in any public place.

He is also banned from entering the Abbey or Trafford retail parks, along with the Kingfisher Shopping Centre. He is allowed to use Redditch bus station as long as he does not enter or leave the station via the shopping centre.

The CRASBO follows Crawley’s release from prison on Friday, January 10. He had been sentenced last month by Redditch magistrates to serve eight weeks for possession of cannabis and shoplifting.

If Crawley breaches this order he faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison.

Sgt Richard Field of the Abbey Safer Neighbourhood Team said “West Mercia Police do not tolerate antisocial behaviour, theft and drug misuse and actively seek orders from courts for the most prolific offenders.

“Samuel Crawley has been given every opportunity to address his offending and heroin addiction but has refused to engage with key agencies.

“The safer neighbourhood team is engaging with a number of offenders and this order should serve as a warning to people wishing to blight the community with drugs and associated antisocial behaviour."

Craig Nicholls, security manager at the Kingfisher Shopping Centre, added: “We have been continually working with and supporting the police in creating a safe and secure environment for customers, staff and visitors.

“Such instances have absorbed a lot of valuable time and resource which could have be used elsewhere. Eliminating such behaviour can only be good for the economic viability and prosperity of the area.”

The aim of a CRASBO is to protect the public from antisocial behaviour and is designed to encourage local communities to become actively involved in reporting crime and antisocial behaviour. The difference between a CRASBO and an antisocial behaviour order (ASBO) is that a CRASBO is made on the back of a criminal conviction.