Police introduce Newcastle dispersal zone in crackdown on anti-social behaviour
POLICE in Newcastle will now be able to disperse and even arrest groups of children under the age of 16 who they believe are likely to act in an anti-social manner.
Children who are out alone after 9pm can also be escorted home after Staffordshire Police and Newcastle Borough Council jointly agreed a dispersal zone, covering the town centre and the outlying streets.
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The area covered by Staffordshire Police's Dispersal Order in Newcastle.
The zone, which takes effect from tonight, has been granted under the Anti-Social Behaviour Act of 2003, and will give officers additional powers to take action against anyone acting or likely to act in an anti-social manner between the hours of 9pm and 6am.
Those who are acting, or are suspected of acting anti-socially, will be asked to leave the zone with those who return risking arrest.
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Inspector Mark Barlow, of Newcastle Borough’s local policing team, said the force recognised not all young people were involved in anti-social behaviour, but added that a number were ‘distressing other members of the community.’
“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 wider community,” he said.
Cllr Tony Kearon, cabinet member for safer communities at Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council, 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 and causes more trouble for town centre visitors.
“The borough council has no doubt that the powers will be used appropriately and responsibly and will help to make the town centre an even safer and more enjoyable place to visit.”
Comments
by senseisteve
Wednesday, October 03 2012, 7:28PM
“If you look at the streetmap they've used - it must be 5/6 years out of date at least - no new Sainsbury's, College, Morrison's .... the very places youths will be dispersed to now that they can't hang around in-town .... at least there their behaviour is on CCTV ... not sure the same can be said when they are vandalising the Brampton or drinking at Lyme Valley.”
by Goach
Tuesday, October 02 2012, 8:06PM
“What worries me is what they are going to do about the ones over sixteen who they believe are likely to act in an anti-social manner.”
by sloblocks
Tuesday, October 02 2012, 4:41PM
“Exactly Redtone, why do people think that we live in a democracy - rule by the people - when the politicians say one thing to get elected and then do just what they like to suit themselves? In a true democracy we would have referenda on many important issues that effect the people. Your local MP does just what the party whip instructs, not what the constituents may want.”
by warren-lloyd
Tuesday, October 02 2012, 6:27AM
“Parenting problem. What are these children doing gathering in gangs of this sort in a town center and do the presents know, further more they care. This sort of thing puts teens at risk on so many levels. Has been giving them a 'good hiding', don't think that's going yo solve anything must, just give them a mistrust of the law, witch is something you don't want or need, and hanging of anyone is simply cold blooded murder by the justice system and never should return. Totally up for locking burglars up, it would not take much to clear the streets them sort of critters, many are re-offences by a handful of idiots. Get them banged up for five years, prove to them its of a hood thing to do, give them a skill other them taking advantage of others and they would more the likely stop.”
by Redtone
Monday, October 01 2012, 11:30PM
“How can your ideas be what the majority want, when they are constantly ignored at elections?”
by sloblocks
Monday, October 01 2012, 11:13PM
“Can I just say that burglars in jail are not at liberty to break into houses, murderers that have been hung will not murder again. If we want to live in peace and harmony then some civil liberties will have to be taken away. We just need some-one in government with the bottle to implement what the majority of the poplulation want.”
by Redtone
Monday, October 01 2012, 10:30PM
“I think dishing out good hidings is pretty anti-social.”
by sloblocks
Monday, October 01 2012, 10:21PM
“I can't believe that the police didn't already have the power to get idiots off our streets without the Anti-Social Behaviour Act of 2003. Just give them a good hiding and send them home!!!!!!!!!!”