Extra powers to tackle trouble in Fareham town centre

Groups of youths have been causing problems

Author: Jo RawlingsPublished 27th Oct 2023
Last updated 27th Oct 2023

Police have been given extra powers to tackle problems in Fareham town centre.

Groups of youths have been causing trouble in recent weeks, which has been impacting local businesses.

A dispersal order's in place from from 6pm tonight (Friday 27 October) until 6pm on Sunday 29 October.

These powers will be effective in the area shown on the map below.

Dispersal order

Dispersal orders enable police to deal with any issues of ASB in a directed area more effectively, and give officers the power to order a person who is likely to or has caused harassment, alarm or distress, or has been involved in crime and disorder 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.

Children between the ages of 10 and 16 who are issued with dispersal notices will be taken home to their parents/guardian.

Officers will be patrolling the town throughout the weekend, engaging with businesses and members of the public including young people.

ASB and the associated criminality makes life miserable for local people and businesses.

Police say they we will continue to make enquiries and use all tactics available to tackle this, and encourage anyone affected by ASB or retail crime to please keep reporting incidents to us.

Anyone with information about anti-social behaviour is asked to contact police on 101, or submit information online via the reporting tool here.

If a crime is in progress, call 999.

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