CAMPAIGNERS say they are planning more protests over the Olympics following a demonstration against a new dispersal zone.

Activists from the Youth Fight For Jobs group protested outside Waltham Forest Police's base in Kirkdale Road, Leytonstone, last Friday at new powers which allow officers to move on groups of two or more people from an area for 24 hours.

The dispersal order came into force last week and covers almost all of Leytonstone to the east of the A12, Blake Hall Road in Wanstead and most of Wanstead Flats – including the Met's controversial temporary Olympics base.

Police insist the zone is designed to tackle anti-social behaviour but campaigners fear it will be used to stifle protest during the Games.

It comes after legislation designed to tackle anti-social yobs, such as ASBOS, was used against protesters at Leyton Marsh, where a temporary Olympic basketball hall is being built on public land.

Protest organiser Claire Laker-Mansfield, 23, of Scarborough Road in Leytonstone, said: "The protest was really well received and we got a lot of support from people on the streets.

"I think the police were quite embarrassed by it. They sent an officer out to talk to us but he didn't want to engage with the issues.

"He was just trying to get us to move on as quickly as possible."

She added: "But this protest is not the end of the story, this is something which is on-going.

"The dispersal zone is still here and we're not going to be put off."

The group is planning further protests and has vowed to pay close attention to how the dispersal zone powers are used.

The zone also applies to young people aged under 16. Anyone in the age-range caught in the zone after 9pm will potentially be escorted home by officers if they are not accompanied by an adult.

A Met spokesman said: "Dispersal zones have been used widely across Waltham Forest to address anti-social behaviour.

"The Olympics was a consideration for the dispersal zone but this is not the primary reason for the implementation of the zone.

"Local residents and businesses have supported this initiative and both Waltham Forest and Redbridge Police have worked in partnership with the local authority to address concerns about anti-social behaviour in these areas."

The order expires on Tuesday November 20.

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