Dispersal order in place in Walsall town after rise in reports of crime and anti-social behaviour

The section 35 dispersal order will come into effect at 2pm on Wednesday, December 3 and will be in place for 48 hours around the areas of Stephenson Square and Stephenson Avenue.

The dispersal order has been brought in following a number of incidents of criminal activity and anti-social behaviour. This includes burglary, shop thefts, criminal damage to property and drugs use.

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West Midlands Police say they 'realise the community have been badly impacted by the incidents which are simply not acceptable' and 'want to reassure residents they are taking action.'

The people involved, which are groups of youths, are causing issues in the local community and police say they 'are determined to stop this happening.'

Over the next 48 hours extra policing powers have been put in place to allow the force to disperse anyone engaging in anti-social behaviour and causing a public nuisance. They have also increased the number of officers in the area.

Inspector John Butler, neighbourhood policing manager at Bloxwich, said: “We can’t tolerate this kind of behaviour which is having a real negative impact on the local community and this dispersal order gives us the powers to move people on who are causing a public nuisance.

“We can assure the community we are taking action. You will see extra officers in the area over the coming days.”