Dispersal order issued in Haverhill in a bid to tackle anti social behaviour

Police are tackling anti-social behaviour and disorder in Haverhill and have issued a dispersal order as a supportive measure.

It is in place on the Chalkstone Estate for 48 hours from Sunday, January 23, at 6.25pm, until tomorrow, Tuesday, January 25, at 6.25pm.

It was imposed under Section 35 of the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 to tackle ongoing issues of anti social and disruptive public disorder and assaults on people known to each other on the estate.

Police have been conducting patrols of the area to minimise the likelihood of any further crime or disorder. 

The order gives uniformed officers the authority to disperse individuals or groups where their presence or behaviour has resulted, or is likely to result in, a member of the public being harassed, intimidated, alarmed or distressed. 

The individuals can be excluded from a specified area for up to 48 hours and if they refuse to follow the officer’s directions to disperse they will be committing an offence, punishable by up to six months imprisonment and/ or a fine of up to £5,000.

Officers will also continue to work with partner agencies to resolve the issue, and provide support that will reduce incidents of antisocial behaviour.

Inspector Matt Gilbert said: “We imposed this order in response to some anti-social behaviour in the area and it gives officers extra powers when it comes to dealing with anti-social behaviour and we are focussing additional resources on tackling issues in this area.

“We hope that residents, parents and businesses will support our efforts to make the town centre a pleasant place for all who use it. This measure gives us more options, alongside our powers of arrest, when dealing with those causing problems.

“At the moment we know the behaviour of some individuals is adversely affecting the quality of life of residents and the order will help us to deal with groups who are committing anti-social behaviour. “