POLICE have been granted the power to disperse groups in various areas of Epping for a six-month period starting on Monday (June 4).
The dispersal order will allow police to order groups of two or more people to leave areas including the High Street to St John's Road, Buttercross Lane to Coronation Hill, and from St John's Road down to the junction with Lower Swaines.
PC Andy Mitson said: "Police will have the power to tell people to leave the areas with a warning that if they return within 24 hours they could be arrested. Basically from research following the last dispersal order in the town it's clear that it considerably reduced the amount of criminality and specifically criminal damage in the area.
"But there are still numerous reports of anti-social behaviour and we're keen to lower that figure, and this dispersal order will help us to do that."
The order was approved by Epping Forest District Council, Essex County Council and police without any objections.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article