Getting tough on town teen gangs
POLICE have been given new powers to tackle gangs who cause trouble in Newcastle town centre.
A dispersal zone has been set up to allow officers to move on groups of two or more people if they are behaving anti-socially – or if they are likely to do so.
The order also gives police the power to send home under-16s found roaming the streets after 9pm. It comes in response to complaints town shoppers are being intimidated by groups of youths and adults shouting, swearing and drinking.
Inspector Mark Barlow, from Newcastle Borough local policing team, said: "Our officers are working closely with other agencies and the community to address issues in the area, as there are a number of people whose actions are causing a nuisance and distressing other members of the community.
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"The powers, which have been granted to police under the Anti-Social Behaviour Act, will help us target those who, despite earlier interventions, are continuing to cause harm to the community."
The Section 30 Dispersal Order lasts for six months and gives the police the power to:
Disperse groups of two or more;
Take young people under the age of 16 years home after 9pm;
Order people not to return to the zone within 24 hours – providing the person concerned does not live there.
Individuals refusing to follow instructions will be committing an offence and face arrest.
Traders in the town have welcomed the move. Carl Evans, pictured below, president of Newcastle Chamber of Trade and Enterprise, who also runs Cartridge World in George Street, said: "It's a really good idea. Anything that makes the town centre more attractive is good."
Businessman and fellow chamber member Trevor Miles said: "It's just a few people causing problems, and it's not just young people. Anti-social behaviour cannot be tolerated.
"Shoppers should feel comfortable and relaxed.
"If people are using foul language and shouting it makes people, particularly the elderly, feel intimidated.
"This order can be used to get rid of that nuisance."
Jason Bould, business crime manager for the Newcastle Partnership Against Business Crime, said: "A number of traders comment on the amount of anti-social behaviour, particularly after school hours, and this is an extremely useful preventative measure,"
"It covers both the day time and night time economy too, which is particularly useful."
Newcastle Borough Council has worked with police to launch the zone. Councillor Tony Kearon, cabinet member for safer communities, said: "Groups of people behaving in an aggressive and threatening manner can make people feel anxious and fearful and even drive them away.
"These powers will allow the police to nip this behaviour in the bud before it escalates."
Comments
by LANTERN1
Wednesday, October 03 2012, 12:12PM
“Have concerns regarding headline above article: "Teen gangs" are to be targeted but contents clearly state that the powers allow the police to deal with anti social behaviour by ALL ages. I am a parent of a 15 yr old boy and have regular contact with his many friends. We often have groups of 10-15 together and their behaviour is always exemplary. If this group-sorry gang-were to meet together in the centre of Newcastle then they would now be seen as a potential threat to public order and risk arrest etc. We have friends who have teenage triplets -will they not be allowed to meet together in town now without the pospect of an interview by the police? The demoniastion of young people is worrying and will only serve to drive a wedge between different sectors of our, already fragmented, community. The town's businesses need to realise that the teenage pound contributes greatly to the local economy-if the youth chose to boycott the town centre in response to this attack on their civil liberties then how many more empty store fronts would we be confonted with?”
by BUCKLEL
Tuesday, October 02 2012, 1:01PM
“Maybe the older element of society should set an example to the youth of today. The "young louts" as you say do not target old folk,they are probably not targeting any one in particular .
We are very intolerant to young people as a society. There is a minority of young people who's actions are bad but dont generalise, as the majority of young people in Newcastle and the surrounding area's are good members of society.”
by camband
Tuesday, October 02 2012, 12:13PM
“Some of these young louts deliberately target old folk. Clockwork Oranges.”