Yobs are snubbing court orders and committing offences at a higher rate than ever before.

The number of antisocial behaviour orders (Asbos) issued by magistrates plummeted last year - while the number of orders breached shot up.

Only 39 Asbos were issued across the county, a 60 per cent drop from the 97 handed out in 2005.

At the same time the number of breaches of orders increased from 18 to 24 - a 33 per cent rise.

Last night supporters of Asbos defended the punishments, saying the reduction in the number issued showed they were having an impact on troublemakers.

But anti-yob campaigners maintained antisocial behaviour on the streets of Sussex was still increasing and that more rather than fewer Asbos were needed.

Eastbourne MP Nigel Waterson said: "I am surprised and disappointed that the figure for Asbos has gone down because the amount of antisocial behaviour certainly hasn't.

"Antisocial behaviour hasn't decreased, it has increased and is at odds with the number of orders being issued.

"I'm not sure people ever thought they would work. They would prefer to see people being apprehended and punished in the criminal courts for their activities."

Brian Balchin was awarded a Government award for standing up to antisocial behaviour in his sheltered housing complex in Brighton.

He said: "I'm all for these orders but I don't think enough are being issued because I know quite a few place with problems."

He fought for two years to get his neighbour, who was a drug dealer, evicted from his home in Patcham.

Mr Balchin said: "Antisocial behaviour is terrible for people. It's a big problem. A lot of people put up with it because they are too terrified to stand up to it."

Asbos are issued by magistrates after various other attempts are made by intervening agencies to curb unruly behaviour.

They can be brought by a variety of public bodies including police, councils and housing associations.

Notable Asbo cases in Sussex include an 11-year-old girl from St Leonards who was punished for terrorising her neighbours, a teenager who was banned from socialising with his brother in public and four brothers from Newhaven who were all given orders.

National statistics suggest fifty percent of orders are breached on at least one occasion.

Aaron Devereaux, the antisocial behaviour co-ordinator for Brighton and Hove, said the number of Asbos issued had fallen because initial problems which occurred when the orders were first introduced had been dealt with successfully.

He said: "Asbos do work - that is clear. I would say breaches do not equate to failures. I would argue if somebody breaches the Asbo it means the order is working. The person can not threaten another person without being punished anymore. The victims are being protected."

Superintendent Graham Bartlett, of Sussex Police, said the orders should not be looked at in isolation from other work done to combat antisocial behaviour.

Fifty antisocial behaviour contracts - when offenders promise to keep their noses clean to avoid an Asbo - were issued in Brighton and Hove last year.

Supt Bartlett said police work with other agencies including drug and alcohol action teams to combat issues surrounding disruptive behaviour before resorting to Asbos.

He said: "They are the last option other than criminal law.

"Before they were introduced there was nothing we could do to tackle this behaviour. They give us the opportunity to hold people accountable for their actions in a way we couldn't do before.

"We put a tremendous amount of work into securing Asbos and we wouldn't do that if we thought they didn't work."

Mr Bartlett said tackling antisocial behaviour was, along with drug and drink-related crime, the top priority for officers in Brighton and Hove.

Hastings MP Michael Foster said: "The orders are the last resort. There are all sorts of initiatives which come in to play before it goes to an Asbo.

"They are a massive success."

In January Brighton and Hove and Hastings were awarded money from the Government as part of the anti-yob Respect campaign to tackle anti-social behaviour.

The areas were among 40 around the country to be handed extra cash to tackle the menace caused by offenders.

What do you think? Is antisocial behaviour falling in Sussex or have you been a victim of yobs? Add your comment below.