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Section 30 Dispersal Notice For Broadstone

Poole Police and the Borough of Poole have authorised a Section 30 Dispersal Notice under the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003 to prevent groups of two or more people from gathering in parts of Broadstone and causing a nuisance to residents.

The notice is effective for three months from 6pm on 19 January 2007, but will be reviewed regularly.

The move has been taken following persistent anti-social behaviour, including noise, verbal abuse and vandalism often fuelled by alcohol.

The Section 30 notice is discretionary and will only be used to disperse groups causing problems in the area. It will therefore not have any affect upon people who are not causing a nuisance.

These powers can be exercised in designated areas, where a police officer of at least the rank of Superintendent has reasonable grounds to believe that members of the public have been intimidated, harassed, alarmed or distressed as a result of the behaviour of groups of two or more persons in a specific location; and that anti-social behaviour is a significant and persistent problem in that area.

This Section 30 notice follows a very successful application of the powers in Creekmoor last October and November. In Creekmoor groups of young people were dispersed and their previously regular, drunken gatherings disrupted to such an extent that residents report no further problems in this area.

Cllr Ann Stribley, Chair of Poole Safe Together Partnership, said: "Broadstone has become a place for young people from across the area to meet.  However, such large gatherings can disturb residents who then feel intimidated and fearful. The Dispersal Notice is designed to benefit the whole community by targeting anti-social behaviour of a few individuals."

Adrian King, Section Commander for Poole Police, said: "The Police and Borough of Poole have become aware of an increase in anti-social behaviour over the last few months, involving gathering of youths and under-age drinking. This unfortunately resulted in damage to properties nearby. Dorset Police has been working with Borough of Poole Youth Services to tackle these problems, however recent escalation has made it necessary to act now. The Section 30 Dispersal Notice gives police power to move youths away from specific areas or return them to their home address if their behaviour is liable to cause problems in neighbourhoods."

Ian Cooke, Anti-Social Co-ordinator, Borough of Poole on tel: 01202 633516