A 48-hour dispersal order has been put in place in a town centre as police tackle increased reports of anti-social behaviour. The order was put in place in Winsford, Cheshire, at 3.30pm today (February 25) and is set to last for two-days.
This order gives police extra powers to break up groups of two or more people if they believe their behaviour is causing harassment or distress. It allows officers to move people out of the area and prevent them from returning for 24-hours.
Inspector Scott Fletcher, of Cheshire Constabulary, said the order was put in place after an increase in reported anti-social behaviour by young people in the town. He said: "Due to ongoing anti-social behaviour by a small minority of young people in the Winsford area, we have taken the decision to put these extra measures in place to deter this behaviour and reassure people that we are taking this seriously.
“This type of behaviour will not be tolerated; our communities should not be disrupted by anti-social behaviour. Every resident has the right to feel safe in their neighbourhoods yet a small minority are disrupting this.
"I would urge anyone who witnesses or feels that they have been subjected to anti-social behaviour to report this to us by calling 101 or reporting it via our website."
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