Dispersal Order authorised for Fareham town centre

A dispersal order has been authorised for Fareham town centre under Section 34 of the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.

The authority covers the period from 6pm tonight (Friday 27 October) until 6pm on Sunday 29 October. These powers will be effective in the area shown on the map attached, and are being used in response to issues of youth-related anti-social behaviour and disorder which is having a detrimental impact on local businesses.

Dispersal orders enable police to deal with any issues of ASB in a directed area more effectively, and give our officers the power to order a person who is likely to or has caused harassment, alarm or distress, or has been involved in crime and disorder 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.

Children between the ages of 10 and 16 who are issued with dispersal notices will be taken home to their parents/guardian.

Officers will be patrolling the town throughout the weekend, engaging with businesses and members of the public including young people.

ASB and the associated criminality makes life miserable for local people and businesses. We will continue to make enquiries and use all tactics available to us to tackle this, and encourage anyone affected by ASB or retail crime to please keep reporting incidents to us.

Anyone with information about anti-social behaviour is asked to contact police on 101, or submit information to us online via our reporting tool here: https://www.hampshire.police.uk/ro/report/asb/asb-v3/report-antisocial-behaviour/

If a crime is in progress, call 999.