A DISPERSAL zone is being introduced in the town centre of Chelmsford to give police more powers to deal with groups of people causing a nuisance.
The dispersal order will begin on May 15, and run until October 15, 2010.
It will apply to the area of Chelmsford town centre bordered by Waterhouse Lane, Rainsford Road, Victoria Road, Springfield Road, High Bridge Road, Parkway, New London Road and New Writtle Street, including Central Park and Seymour Street.
Under the dispersal order, Essex Police has powers to issue groups of two or more people with a warning to leave the area for 24 hours.
If those individuals return before that time, they can be arrested under the Anti-Social Behaviour Act, 2003. The order also gives police the power to take children under the age of 16 home if they are out after 9pm.
Chelmsford district commander, Chief Inspector Joe Wrigley, said: “This order will only affect people who cause misery and disorder for others. My officers will deal positively with any offenders. We want to ensure that everyone, whether they live locally or are visiting Chelmsford, knows that they can come to our town and have an enjoyable and peaceful experience.
“The dispersal order provides Essex Police with an additional tool to deal effectively with any concerns, addressing any incidents of anti-social behaviour, and nipping trouble in the bud before it has a chance to escalate.”
The dispersal order complements a number of successful activities already in place including CCTV, street pastors, taxi marshals and Publink/Townlink radio.
In addition, Chelmsford borough council is also seeking to implement a Designated Public Place Order (DPPO), which will strengthen the powers of Essex Police further. The DPPO will make it an offence to drink alcohol after being required by a police officer not to do so, within a specific area.
Councillor Ian Grundy, Cabinet Member for Safer Communities at Chelmsford Borough Council, said: “I am pleased to endorse Essex Police’s use of this dispersal order over the coming summer months. It will sit alongside a range of measures in place in Chelmsford to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour.
"Our residents, visitors and businesses deserve a safe and enjoyable town centre and this will certainly complement the powers already available to the police to ensure this continues this summer.”
Mick McDonagh, High Chelmer Shopping Centre Manager said, “I fully support Essex Police in their efforts to make our town a safe and attractive place to visit, shop and enjoy.”
The dispersal order legislation gives Essex Police the power to disperse the offenders from the area and stop them returning within 24 hours. A person who knowingly contravenes a direction given to him or her under Part 4 of the Act commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to (a) a fine not exceeding £2,500, or (b) imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 months, or to both. Between the hours of 9pm and 6am, any person under the age of 16 years who is not under the effective control of an adult may be removed to their home address or a place of safety, if more appropriate.