The first Dispersal Order in West Suffolk will be put into place in the Stamford Court area of Bury St Edmunds from Friday 19 November, as part of police and local council efforts to tackle incidents of low-level anti-social behaviour in the area.
The Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003, part 4, which came into effect in January this year, created a power for a senior police officer to designate an area, with local authority agreement, where there is persistent anti-social behaviour and a problem with groups causing intimidation.
Uniformed police officers then have ‘a power to disperse groups where their presence or behaviour has resulted, or is likely to result, in a member of the public being harassed, intimidated, alarmed or distressed’. The individuals can then be excluded from a specified area for up to 24 hours.
If individuals refuse to follow the officer’s directions to disperse they will be committing an offence, punishable by up to six months imprisonment and/ or a fine of up to £5,000.
There will also be powers in the designated area for officers to take young people under the age of 16 home, or to a place of safety, after 9pm at night if they are not under the control of an adult. This is a discretionary power - not a curfew that requires the police to act in relation to every child out at that time.
Chief Inspector Mike Gooch, Bury St Edmunds Sector Commander, comments, “Unfortunately there are a small number of individuals who are involved in low level anti-social behaviour that hang around the Stamford Court Area. The dispersal order is important because it gives us further powers when dealing with groups who are not committing criminal offences but are causing concern and disruption to local residents. We have been given the powers by the government and will use them appropriately as an additional tool to further improve the quality of life for those living in the area.
“It is important to stress that this does not mean we will be asking any group to move along if they are talking to friends nor returning young people to their homes just because it’s after 9pm – law abiding citizens have nothing to worry about, it’s designed to be used where some individuals’ behaviour is becoming a problem to residents and businesses.
“In recent months we have had a number of complaints from members of the public in relation to anti-social behaviour in Stamford Court. While it is positive that many of the issues are not of a criminal matter it does limit us as to what we can do to solve the issue. The dispersal order will run from Friday 19 November and run initially for four weeks and allow us to deal directly and positively with the situation.
“Local residents and businesses have also been surveyed to ascertain their views with a number of people saying that they are in fear of some groups of young people and feel intimidated. This is clearly not acceptable.
“We want everyone in Suffolk to enjoy the benefits of living in the safest county in England. We believe that if police, councils and residents work together we can tackle the minority who spoil it for everyone and make our communities better places.”
Police have and will continue to be involved in a number of initiatives to tackle the long-term solution to the issue. Officers have increased high visibility patrols paying particular attention to problem areas. They have also been working with various agencies including the local council and Havebury Housing. Where necessary more robust tactics have led to the arrest of a number of individuals.
“We will continue to look at the long term issues in the area working with a number of agencies to try and provide the youngsters with alternative activities. It must be stressed that the Dispersal Order is just part of a much wider scheme to deal with the issue,” added Chief Inspector Gooch.
“The order will be continually reviewed to monitor progress and effectiveness of the scheme.”
Cllr Frank Warby, St Edmundsbury Cabinet member for Housing, health and Crime comments, "We work with partners such as the police in the St Edmundsbury Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership and I welcome actions such as this which shows what we can achieve by working together. It is always a minority which causes trouble - this action will help law-abiding people of all ages to use and enjoy the area without feeling intimidated."
If anyone has any issues, concerns or questions in relation to the Dispersal Order please contact Pc Jon Warby, who is the Community Police Officer for the area, on 01284 774 125.
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
A map of the area is available upon request – please contact Mike Nunn on 01284 774 098.
Issued by: Mike Nunn – Western Area Press Office
Direct Telephone No: (01284) 774 098
Switchboard – (01284) 774 100; Fax (01284) 774 086
