Plans to tackle antisocial behaviour in Smallbridge

Inspector Jamie Collins of the Pennine Neighbourhood Policing Team

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A Dispersal Order is being introduced in Smallbridge to help reduce antisocial behaviour and improve the quality of life for people who live in the area.

Police, together with Rochdale Borough Council, are implementing this measure following a sharp increase in reports of youth nuisance, criminal damage and alcohol-related problems in these areas.

The Dispersal Order, which is being implemented under the Anti Social Behaviour Act 2003, will be in place from Friday 22 April 2011 and will run for six months until 21 October 2011.

It provides police with the power to disperse groups of two or more people of any age who are hanging around on the streets or harassing and intimidating local residents.

Between 9.00pm and 6.00am, officers are also authorised to escort home young people under 16 who are behaving antisocially, and who are not in the company of a responsible person over 18.

Police can also force people to leave an area for up to 48 hours. If they return within that time they will be arrested.

Inspector Jamie Collins of the Pennine Neighbourhood Policing Team said: "When Dispersal Orders have been used on previous occasions in Rochdale they have proved to be very effective in reducing antisocial behaviour.

“After consulting with our partners and local residents, we believe this order is an essential part of our approach to tackling crime and disorder.

"It will only be used against youths and groups of people who are involved in, or are likely to be involved in, antisocial behaviour and is just one of a number of steps being taken to tackle this problem.”

Roger Ellis, Chief Executive for Rochdale Borough Council, added: "Tackling antisocial behaviour in partnership with the police is a top priority for the Council and experience tells us that dispersal orders can be effective in this situation. We will be aiming to back up enforcement of the order with other activities including detached youth work and reminding licensees of their responsibilities around the sale of alcohol.

“We cannot allow our communities to be blighted by antisocial behaviour. We are asking parents in Smallbridge to help us reduce this problem. Please make sure you know, as far as possible, where your children are going and what they are doing when they are out and about. It is important that we all work together to deal with this problem.”