A dispersal order that covers Warsop town centre in Nottinghamshire has been effective in reducing antisocial behaviour, according to police. It was put in place after residents complained about youths causing problems in the area.
Launched in January and set to run until 9 July, so far 149 people have been moved on from the area, four people have been arrested for breaching the dispersal requirement โ of which two were reprimanded, one was cautioned and one was charged to attend court.
Letters have been sent to 42 sets of parents of young people who had been dispersed for Warsop, advising them of the legislation and providing a detailed map of the relevant area.
So far this year (January to May), calls about antisocial behaviour in the Warsop Birklands area have reduced by 20 per cent, compared to the previous five months (August to December 2010). Crime is also down by 12.65 per cent compared to the previous year, with violent crime down 17.4 per cent.
Sergeant Carole Ostle said: โThe reduction in calls from local people shows the dispersal order is extremely effective and is improving things for the public.
โCrime is down, antisocial behaviour has reduced and we are working with young people and their families to make sure they understand the dispersal order and possible consequences.
โHistorically we do see an increase in the number of antisocial behaviour reports in the summer, with warmer weather and school holidays. To ensure the great work that has been undertaken using the powers granted through a dispersal order since the beginning of the year continues, my team has submitted an application to Mansfield District Council to extend it for an additional six months.โ
Under the order, if a police officer or police community support officer has reasonable grounds for believing that the presence or behaviour of a group of two or more people within the zone has resulted or is likely to result in any members of the public being intimidated, harassed, alarmed or distressed, they have the power to:
โข Tell the group to leave the area (either immediately or at a stated time and in a stated way)
โข Tell people who donโt live in the area to leave (either immediately or at a stated time and in a stated way)
โข Tell people who donโt live in the area not to return to the area or any part of it for such period (not exceeding 24hrs) from when the direction was given, as he/she may specify.
It is an offence to fail to comply with an officersโ instruction and the offender can be arrested for the offence without a warrant. Anyone under the age of 16 who is in the dispersal zone between the hours of 9pm and 6am, and not believed to be under the effective control of a parent or responsible adult can be removed and be taken home or to a place of safety.
