Dispersal order granted for anti-social behaviour blighted Leasowes (From Halesowen News)

Dispersal order granted for anti-social behaviour blighted Leasowes

12:54pm Wednesday 15th August 2012 in News

POLICE in Halesowen have been forced to apply for a dispersal order due to local yobs committing crime and anti-social behaviour.

A Section 30 dispersal order has been granted in the Leasowes area so giving officers can break up groups of two or more people congregating in the area.

Dispersal orders, which were introduced by the Anti-Social Behaviour Act in 2003, help police and councils crack down on all levels of anti-social behaviour.

Officers will also be able to legally return anybody under the age of 16 to their home address between the hours of 9pm and 6am.

The order will run from Saturday, August 11 until Sunday, February 10, 2013, and will be a tonic for fed-up residents and shopkeepers.

Sergeant Elizabeth Benson, from the Halesowen neighbourhood team, said: "Local residents and businesses in the area have told us that they are affected by anti-social behaviour and can be intimidated by large groups who gather in some areas of our neighbourhood.

"We will be patrolling the area frequently and enforcing this dispersal order over the next six months.”

She added: “This is a useful tool for us and we hope that it improves the quality of life for our residents and traders and that we are demonstrating how seriously we take all reports of anti-social behaviour."

Some of the areas covered by the dispersal order include Kent road, Manor lane, Leasowes lane, Western Avenue and Shenstone Avenue.

In the last two years there have been complaints of drunken behaviour, drug taking, abusive language and other low level crimes throughout the area.

Residents affected by anti-social behaviour then you can call your local neighbourhood team on 101.