Portsmouth police issue Buckland dispersal order on Bonfire Night after yobs throw fireworks in the street
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The order covers an area including Seymour Close, Buckland Park, Agincourt Road, and Arnaud Close, and lasts from midday today to midday on Saturday, November 7.
The dispersal order gives officers the power to order a person to leave the area for a 48 hour period with no return – and refusal to comply with the order is a criminal offence.
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Hide AdIt comes after an increase in anti-social behaviour, particularly by a group of young people – aged between 14 to 18 years old – with footage of youths hurling fireworks in the street causing an outcry last week.
Police said many of the instigators do not live in the area. More patrols will be in place in the area.
Sergeant Sean Hopkinson said: ‘We know from having spoken to residents in the area how much anti-social behaviour can have a negative impact on people’s lives and this is simply not acceptable.
‘While we have ensured that we have extended our patrols in the area, we also feel that making use of these powers to disperse groups of people will help us further to tackle this issue.
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‘While we are all still doing what we can to keep each other healthy during the ongoing pandemic, we want to reassure our communities that our core work around making our neighbourhoods safer for everyone is still our priority.’
Buckland has also been struck with a series of bin fires over the last four weeks, with the most recent spate seeing fire crews called to six bin fires on Monday.
Additional patrols have been undertaken in the area, and the police are working with Police and Crime Commissioner community wardens and Buckland Housing Service.
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