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Order allows police to break up gangs
A NEW order allowing police to break up unruly groups on Weymouth seafront comes into effect this weekend.
Officers will now be able to disperse gangs, order people to leave the area and ban offenders for 24 hours if necessary.
The new dispersal order has been introduced to help Dorset Police tackle anti-social behaviour in and around the Esplanade.
Superintendent Colin Searle, western division commander, said the order is aimed specifically at troublemakers.
He said: "The authorisation of powers is not aimed at anyone who wishes to lawfully and peacefully gather in or enjoy the area.
"This is about ensuring that a minority of individuals, who seek to behave in an anti-social manner, are prevented from doing so by
giving police officers the power to disperse unruly groups.
"If individuals refuse to comply with a direction to disperse they face arrest and conviction."
The specific anti-social behaviour leading to imposition of the order includes incidents caused by youths, young adults, homeless people, boy racers and illegal drug users.
Police will now also be able to take home any under-16s in the area between 9pm and 6am not under the control of parents or a responsible person over 18.
Dispersal orders can be obtained for up to six months, subject to agreement between Weymouth and Portland Borough Council and police.
10:35am Friday 16th May 2008
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CommentPosted by: Old Synic, Wyke on 2:03pm Fri 16 May 08
What is the world coming to? Police having to get permission to break up unruly gangs.
What is the world coming to? Police having to get permission to break up unruly gangs.
Posted by: maximus, Weymouth on 2:25pm Fri 16 May 08
Will this also include gangs of rowdy cyclists?
Will this also include gangs of rowdy cyclists?
Posted by: nige, dorchester on 4:39pm Fri 16 May 08
I really don't understand why the police have to obtain permission from the local council to disperse unruly gangs....Very strange
I really don't understand why the police have to obtain permission from the local council to disperse unruly gangs....Very strange
Posted by: MIG, Poole on 7:09pm Fri 16 May 08
Perhaps the article should have clarified the fact that in days gone by 'yobs' would actually do what a Police Officer told them to do.
Nowadays they are prepared to stand their ground until force is used and apparently they believe that they 'know their rights' (Another import from the USA)
I think that the Police and the yobs will discover that they can read 'Displacement' where it says 'Dispersal'
Perhaps the article should have clarified the fact that in days gone by 'yobs' would actually do what a Police Officer told them to do.
Nowadays they are prepared to stand their ground until force is used and apparently they believe that they 'know their rights' (Another import from the USA)
I think that the Police and the yobs will discover that they can read 'Displacement' where it says 'Dispersal'
Posted by: DingDonG, Wilds of Wiltshire on 7:39pm Fri 16 May 08
'Arrowhead' found on beach
8:48am today
How did the police cope with armed Neolithic yobos back in the "good old days"?
'Arrowhead' found on beach
8:48am today
How did the police cope with armed Neolithic yobos back in the "good old days"?
Posted by: Positron, Rodwell on 12:36am Sat 17 May 08
This system can be open to abuse though, it won't be long before that rowdy Punch and Judy lot will be expecting to be taken home after the show...
This system can be open to abuse though, it won't be long before that rowdy Punch and Judy lot will be expecting to be taken home after the show...
Posted by: laiconna, United States on 2:55am Sat 17 May 08
It's interesting to see that in order for police to do their job, they must go through reels of red tape. I thought that only happened in the states.
In the states, the criminal has all the rights the victim is usually portrayed as the villan.
It's interesting to see that in order for police to do their job, they must go through reels of red tape. I thought that only happened in the states.
In the states, the criminal has all the rights the victim is usually portrayed as the villan.
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