David Hanson MP, Labour's Justice minister, responding to Lib Dem criticism of anti-social behaviour measures, said today:

"By pledging to remove the possibility of a custodial sentence for juveniles convicted of breaching an ASBO, the Lib Dems have shown once again they can't be taken seriously on crime and anti-social behaviour.

"Tackling anti-social behaviour is about striking the right balance and the Lib Dems need to realise that sometimes prison is the right solution for serious offenders.

"Labour is giving police and communities new powers to tackle anti-social behaviour, investing in neighbourhood policing and modernising our criminal justice system. Our Youth Crime Action Plan covers the full range of issues around youth crime, from enforcement to better targeted support, to early prevention. We've pledged additional funding of almost £100m for measures which will cut youth crime in the short term and prevent it in the long term. Labour's policies are working and we've seen a reduction in the frequency of juvenile re-offending of 17.4% between 2000 and 2005.

"The Lib Dems have shown time and time again that they are against Labour's tough anti-social behaviour measures, against Labour's measures to break up teen gangs, against measures to restrict the sale of graffiti spray paint to teenagers, against sending teenage criminals to court and against jail sentences for drug possession.

"In local government, Lib Dem councils have some of the worst records for tackling anti-social behaviour. They're more interested in the rights of yobs and criminals than they are in decent law-abiding people."