A TEENAGER who was given an anti-social behaviour order will have his identity protected despite new Home Office guidelines to name and shame young offenders.

The defendant was made the subject of a two-year ASBO by Northwich Youth Court judges last week, but court officials refused to divulge details of the individual to the Guardian.

The order stipulated, among other things, that the youth must not act himself or encourage others to act in an anti-social manner, engage in violence or damage against any person or property or congregate in a group of three or more youths.

It was granted to protect people in the area from the youth's anti-social behaviour and to prevent him from committing further anti-social acts.

But the Northwich court has ignored the Home Office guidelines, published in March, urging police and local authorities to publicise details of children as young as 10 who have been granted ASBOs as a result of persistent bad behaviour, by refusing to release a name or photograph.

Insp Brian Roberts, head of Winsford Neighbourhood Policing Unit, said: "The police take anti-social behaviour very seriously and the perpetrators of it can expect to be dealt with by the police in a way that reflects this.

"The culprits of this type of destructive behaviour should also get the message that there are eyes and ears everywhere in the community and you will be dealt with if you persist in using anti-social behaviour."