Dispersal zone in
Stratford town centre
A dispersal zone has been
introduced in Stratford following complaints from local businesses
in the town centre.
Newham police have joined forces with Newham Council to
ban groups of troublemakers who have been behaving anti-socially in
Stratford.
The aim of the dispersal zone is to prevent and disrupt anti-social
behaviour in the area along with identifying known trouble makers
and gathering sufficient intelligence to support long term
objectives.
A dispersal notice has been introduced to all roads around the one
way system in Stratford, including the bus and train
stations.
The order will run from Monday 18 April 2011 for a six month
period. Officers, Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) and
council enforcement officers can disperse groups of more than two
people and tell those who do not live in the area to leave and not
return for up to 24 hours.
Anyone who refuses or breaches the notice can be arrested. It is
punishable on conviction of a custodial sentence of up to three
months and/or a fine of up to £2,500.
Inspector Declan Traynor from Stratford Safer Neighbourhoods Team
said: "This town centre dispersal zone is the first of its kind in
Newham.
"It will help us to combat anti-social behaviour at the same time
as implementing long term solutions.
"We are introducing this zone on behalf of the local businesses and
hope this demonstrates the pro-active approaches police and council
take to tackle local issues."
Cllr Unmesh Desai, cabinet member for crime and anti-social
behaviour said: "We take the issue of crime and anti-social
behaviour seriously and this is one of the ways that we are working
to tackle it."
"It is important that residents and businesses tell us how this
scheme is working and report any incidents to us on the ASB free
phone hotline 0800 731 3300 or to their local police safer
neighbourhood team."