Southend Council is steadfastly refusing to release pictures of two "kids from hell" who have terrorised their community for years.

Danny and Aaron Wright, aged 12 and 15, have both been given antisocial behaviour orders banning them from a huge area, encompassing 33 roads and blocks of flats.

The Government has repeatedly said publication of photographs should be the norm when Asbos are handed down by the courts.

But Southend Council believes this could breach the boys' human rights, despite them having plagued hundreds of people in the past eight years.

Anita McGinley, tenancy management co-ordinator for South Essex Homes, which manages Southend Council's housing, said everyone living in the 33 roads already knew what the boys looked like, so there was no point publishing the photos.

She added: "We are now working intensively with the family. There is guidance in regard to the publication of photos and it has to be proportionate and reasonable.

"In this case, it would be fair enough if we were not intervening. But this could endanger any rehabilitation or work to remedy their behaviour.

"It could have an adverse effect."

The boys' mother, Dena Lawson, did not seem to think her boys were at fault when she spoke to the Echo earlier in the week.

Instead, she said they were being victimised by neighbours for being well known in the area. She said: "My kids are always picked on around here. I haven't got a clue why."

The decision not to release photos has also sparked anger from readers on the Echo's website.

Within minutes of the story being published, a reader had responded by posting: "Classic New Labour Britain.

"Takes two years to do anything with them and then they have the gall to worry about their yooman rites'."