Police given extra powers in Basingstoke
A dispersal order is in place this weekend in the Hatch Warren area
Police have authorised a dispersal order for parts of Basingstoke this weekend, following reports of anti-social behaviour.
The order, under Section 34 of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, will cover the area pictured between 5pm on Friday 5 December and 5pm on Sunday 7 December.
Police say it comes after recent reports of groups of young people causing issues at businesses in the Hatch Warren Business Park and the community centre on previous weekends. Reports have included incidents of criminal damage, abuse towards retail staff and theft.
It means that officers dealing with anti-social behaviour can order a person to leave the area with no return within the specified period.
Those who refuse to comply are committing a criminal offence and are liable for arrest.
Anti-social behaviour
Basingstoke town Inspector James Gallimore said: “It is not acceptable local residents and retail staff to have to deal with such anti-social behaviour.
“We take all reports of youth-related anti-social behaviour seriously and we will be doing more work with residents and businesses in the coming weeks.
“We would urge parents to ask to ask their children what they are planning to do and when and to have conversations about the consequences of their behaviour. Who are they going out with? What time, and how they will be getting home?”