Dispersal order issued in Lichfield as police crack down on anti-social behaviour
Staffordshire Police are issuing a dispersal order in Lichfield city centre this weekend in a bid to act proactively against anti-social behaviour.
The order, granted under Section 34 of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, gives officers the power to disperse anyone to reduce the likelihood of members of the public in the area being harassed, alarmed, distressed or the occurrence of crime and disorder.
It applies to the area of Lichfield within the red outline (pictured below) and will last from 3pm on Friday, October 3 until 3pm on Sunday, October 5, but can also be extended.
Officers have responded to an increase in reports recently involving groups of youths congregating and being abusive and intimidating to local people and businesses. Other issues including the dangerous and illegal use of e-bikes and e-scooters have also been reported.
Staffordshire Police have already made an arrest in connection with these reports and say they are 'determined to continue using all of the tools at our disposal to target those committing these offences as robustly as possible.'
Failing to comply with the dispersal order is a criminal offence and police can return anyone under the age of 16 to their home address.
As part of their powers, police can issue the notices for a period of up to 48 hours and anyone found breaching a notice is liable to be arrested and face further action.
Inspector Melissa Byrne, from the Lichfield local policing team, said: “We don’t underestimate the impact that persistent anti-social behaviour can have on the people living, working and visiting Lichfield, and that’s why we’ve sought these extra powers.
“We’re urging parents and guardians in the area to make sure that young people know this order is in place over the weekend and to explain the consequences that persistent anti-social behaviour can have, both in respect of action taken against offenders and the impact their criminality can have on the local community.
“Officers don’t take this type of behaviour lightly and we’re determined to keep working proactively to tackle the issues affecting local people and businesses the most in Lichfield.”
