Dispersal order for town over anti-social problems

A dispersal order has been put in place for a town centre in Derbyshire following increased reports of anti-social behaviour.

Police said the decision followed a recent increase in calls about large gatherings centred around Waverley Street and the McDonalds restaurant in Long Eaton.

The Section 34 notice began at 16:10 GMT on Tuesday and will last until midnight on Wednesday, covering an area from Nottingham Road to Brown's Road and between Market Road and the railway line.

It means officers can ask groups of two or more people to leave the area if they are committing anti-social behaviour, or if they believe they may, or are likely to, cause a nuisance to someone else.

Anybody committing an offence who refuses this order can be arrested and fined up to £2,500 and/or receive a three-month prison sentence, officers said.

Sgt Calvin Taylor of the Erewash Policing Unit, said: "The dispersal has been issued to help prevent further reports of anti-social behaviour and to give officers increased powers to target these reports.

"We give careful consideration when introducing these orders to ensure they are absolutely necessary, and they are used to help us ease community concerns and take action on those intent on disrupting the public and local businesses."

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