Dispersal order issued across Portsmouth as three remain in custody for series of robberies

A dispersal order under Section 34 of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 has been authorised across Portsmouth following a series of robberies on Monday evening (22 May).

The dispersal zone covers the areas pictured, which includes the north of the city down into North End.

It was authorised at 5pm last night (23 May) and will run for 48 hours until 5pm tomorrow evening (Thursday 25 May).

The dispersal order enables police to deal with any issues of anti-social behaviour in the directed area more effectively, and gives our officers the power to order a person to leave the area with no return within the specified time period. Those who refuse to comply with the order are committing a criminal offence and are liable for arrest.

Individuals who are aged under 16 will be taken be to their home address, and follow-up work will be done with parents.

The dispersal order comes as three boys remain in police custody for a series of robbery offences on Monday evening. They are a 16-year-old, a 15-year old and a 17-year old from Portsmouth, all arrested on suspicion of robbery and assaulting an emergency worker.

A number of units were deployed on Monday evening following the reports, and a Police Community Support Officer who was on proactive patrols was injured as he attempted to stop the suspects.

Since these incidents were reported to us detectives have been following all lines of enquiry in order to identify those involved and bring them to justice. These enquiries continue today and follow-up work continues to be done with the victims.

Portsmouth Chief Inspector Pete Smith said: “We fully appreciate how concerning these incidents have been for local residents to hear about, and how distressing they have been for the victims.

“We are committed to bringing those involved to justice and are working round the clock on our investigation. In the meantime, we have put this order in place as a means to prevent further incidents of this nature occurring, while supporting local residents in line with our commitment to keeping our communities safe.

“Our officers will continue conducting dedicated patrols over the coming days and will make use of the order to help us deal with any anti-social or criminal behaviour.

“Please come and speak to patrolling officers if you have any questions or concerns.”

Anyone with information about any of these incidents is asked to call 101 quoting 44230202557/Operation Blot. Perhaps you witnessed one of these incidents and have not yet spoken to police? Maybe you live in the areas mentioned or were driving through at the times of the incidents and have dash cam, Ring Doorbell or CCTV footage that may assist our enquiries?

We would also like to hear from anyone who may have been a victim of a similar incident last night and has not yet reported it to police.

Alternatively, you can submit information online via https://orlo.uk/cefwt

Always call 999 if a crime is in progress or if you or somebody else is in danger.