Dispersal order at park amid robbery reports

Clare LissamanBBC News, West Midlands
News imageBBC St Nicholas Park in Warwick. Photo shows the leisure centre in the background and a tree with pink cherry blossom as well as a white bridge and green football goal posts. A grass field is at the front of the picture. BBC
Police are investigating reports of robbery, possession of weapons and criminal damage

Police have put in place a dispersal order at a Warwick park after recent disorder and anti-social behaviour.

Officers said they had received reports over the past few days about a group "causing significant harassment, alarm and distress" to people in St Nicholas Park and the surrounding area.

"Police are investigating a number of reports of robbery, possession of weapons and criminal damage believed to be linked to the group," the Warwickshire force explained.

The order, which runs until 22:00 BST on 13 August, gives officers the power to tell groups to leave the area and not return or face arrest.

Insp Jem Mountford, head of neighbourhood policing in the district, said the group's actions would not be tolerated.

"We will not hesitate to use these powers," he said.

"We have increased our presence in the area, and on top of our ongoing investigations, we feel this move is necessary to address local concerns and give us the power to deal with those we believe to be responsible.”

Anyone with information that could help police inquiries was asked to contact the force.

Follow BBC Coventry & Warwickshire on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to: [email protected]

Internet links

More from the BBC