A SIX-month dispersal order has been granted to prevent anti-social behaviour in and around the shopping parade in Southfields, Letchworth.
The order, which is in place under the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003, will come into force on Saturday, August 7 and can remain in place until January 2011.
This order gives powers to police officers and police community support officers (PCSOs), allowing them to disperse groups of two or more persons that are causing or are likely to cause harassment alarm or distress to members of the public.
Police can ask members of the public or persons in a group to leave the relevant locality and not return within 24 hours. Failure to comply with such a direction can result in the arrest of that person.
Sgt Steve Oliphant, from the Letchworth Neighbourhood Team, said: “For a sustained period of time, the team has dealt with issues of anti-social behaviour in the shopping parade area.
“Many of the reported incidents mention groups of people congregating around shops, with the main issues arising during the warmer weather, school holidays and in particular at weekends.
“In the last two years, officers and PCSOs, working in partnership with North Herts Council, have been using different tactics to reduce incidents of anti-social behaviour, these include high visibility and plain clothes patrols, the use of CCTV and targeting those believed to be involved in incidents. The team have also visited schools to educate young people of the issues around anti-social behaviour.
“A similar order that was in place in Letchworth town centre has proved very successful and we hope to see similar reductions in anti social behaviour as a result of the introduction of this order.
“Those committing anti-social behaviour are in the minority. However, it is important we do all we can to ensure law-abiding citizens can go about their daily business unaffected and not feel intimidated. I look forward to seeing the positive effects in the coming months.”