Extra police powers to deal with anti-social behaviour in Dudley

They come into force from 10am on Saturday.

A section 35 dispersal notice has been authorised in the Pensnett area
Author: Kellie MaddoxPublished 1st Apr 2023

Police in Dudley have been given extra powers to deal with disorder and anti-social behaviour.

A section 35 dispersal notice is in place from 10am today (1 April) in the Pensnett and Brockmoor area and it will run for 48 hours.

It means officers will be able to break up any groups who gather and temporarily ban people from the area.

West Midlands Police said the powers are being put in place after intelligence about a gathering being arranged, in connection with a recent memorial for a young man killed in a collision.

The memorial earlier this month saw people involved in street racing and speeding, which caused alarm and distress to the local community.

Inspector Adam Austin, from Dudley Police said: "We are working with our partners and the local community and we are putting these measures in place to reassure the local community.

“It’s not a decision we have taken lightly, and while we won’t hesitate to use the additional powers the dispersal notice grants us, we hope we won’t have to. "

Hear all the latest news from across the UK on the hour, every hour, on Greatest Hits Radio on DAB, smartspeaker, at greatesthitsradio.co.uk, and on the Rayo app.