We want people to feel safe in their communities. It is unacceptable for anyone to be afraid to use public spaces, shops or parks because they feel threatened by groups of people hanging around.
What is a dispersal order?
A dispersal order will provide the police with additional powers to disperse groups of two or more people where the officer has reasonable grounds for believing that their presence or behaviour has resulted, or is likely to result, in a member of the public from being harassed, intimidated, alarmed or distressed.
Once asked to disperse it will be a criminal offence for that person to return to the dispersal area for a 24-hour period.
If a young person under the age of sixteen is stopped in the area after 9pm and is not accompanied by an adult the police can escort them to their home address, if they are either:
- At risk or vulnerable from anti-social behaviour, crime etc
- Causing, or at risk of causing, anti-social behaviour
Who decides which area needs a dispersal order?
A local senior police officer makes the decision based on recent available evidence, but the area also has to be agreed by the Council. The order will be in an area where there is persistent anti-social behaviour and a problem with groups causing intimidation. This area could be as small or as large as necessary, as long as there is evidence of anti-social behaviour.
How long does the order last?
A dispersal order can last for up to six months. A new order can be put in place after it, if another application is made.
The following dispersal orders are in place in Waltham Forest
You may need to download a free copy of Adobe Acrobat Reader to view these PDF documents.
Leyton and Grove Green
The dispersal order (385KB PDF file) commenced from 00.01am on 18 August 2008 and will end midnight on 17 February 2009.
For more information on any of the above dispersal orders, or to report anti-social behaviour.
Contact
Anti-social Behaviour Team Manager
Safe and Strong Communities
Sycamore House
Waltham Forest Town Hall Complex
Forest Road
Walthamstow E17 4JF
Email communitysafety@walthamforest.gov.uk
Tel 020 8496 3000
