When anti-social behaviour orders were introduced they were seen as a powerful tool in ridding estates of a minority of nuisance neighbours.

For decades before, problem families had been able to wreck the lives of those around them with virtual impunity, turning otherwise pleasant areas into no-go zones.

Brighton and Hove has seized on the relatively new legislation to clear up trouble-spots and return previously unwanted homes to use, a vital measure in a city where housing is in short supply.

But Daniel Bowler's story is a cautionary tale.

Even his devoted mother makes no excuse for her teenage son's behaviour. But reading her account of the lengths to which she has gone to cope, it is difficult to agree that in this case the right action has been taken.

Clearly society has to do something about a youngster capable of wreaking such havoc.

But while asbos are a useful tool, they must not be seen as a one-size-fits-all solution to what are often very complex and very different cases.