Police issue second dispersal order in Warsash within a week as anti-social behaviour continues

The order, under Section 34 of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, has been authorised by Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary for the Warsash area. This follows one issued on Tuesday, June 6 after reports of dangerous driving and other dangerous activities.

The action enables police to deal with any issues of anti-social behaviour in the directed area more effectively, and gives officers the power to order a person to leave the area with no return within the specified time period. Those who refuse to comply with the order are committing a criminal offence and are liable for arrest.

NOW READ: Hampshire police issue dispersal order in Warsash in response to multiple reports of dangerous driving

This latest order came into effect today at 3.00pm and will remain in place until 6.00am on Monday, June 12.

The dispersal zone is covers Thornton Avenue, Crofton Way, Hamble Close, Mariners Way, Passage Lane, Shore Road, Strawberry Field, Garden Mews and part of Newton Road.

Sergeant Pete Rackham, of Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary, said: ‘Officers will be out on patrol in Passage Lane and the surrounding areas, where they will be engaging with any individuals present.

‘Whilst a great many will be using the area appropriately, we will be seeking to use our powers under Section 35 to disperse anyone using their vehicle in an anti-social manner and also our powers under Section 59 of the Police Reform Act 2002 to warn/seize vehicles being driven as such. Officers will also consider reporting for summons should driving offences be identified.

‘Anti-social behaviour makes the lives of local people miserable, and we encourage those affected to please keep reporting this to us so we can establish the scale of the problem and determine the most effective tactics to tackle it.

‘We’re aware of community concerns in other areas of the district, such as Segensworth and Whiteley. We continue to monitor this and will be patrolling the areas, as well as looking at using any effective tactics at our disposal where it is necessary and proportionate to do so.

NOW READ: Hampshire police arrest Gosport man in drugs raid - seizing 'large quantities' of cash and cannabis

‘We are also working with partner agencies to look at longer term solutions to tackle the concerns raised by the community.’

A police spokesperson added that ‘a number of individuals have been moved on’ this week but were compliant and officers were not required to use their dispersal powers. This weekend, individuals who are aged under 16 will be taken be to their home address, and follow-up work will be done with parents.