New dispersal order will come into effect in April
A dispersal order designed to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour in the city centre, along the waterfront and in Union Street, Stonehouse, North Hill and Mutley Plain will come into effect in April.
The order was requested by the police and signed this week as a delegated decision by Plymouth City Council’s Cabinet Member for Co-operatives and Community Development, Councillor Chris Penberthy.
The order will be in place around the clock from Friday 4 April to Monday 8 September 2014 and will cover an area:
- incorporating the sea front from Devil’s Point eastwards to Victoria Pier and then turning inland encompassing the Barbican Leisure Park
- following Sutton Road into Exeter Street turning north into Gasking Street before joining the east side of North Hill
- continuing up North Hill and including Mutley Plain and its adjacent streets and service lanes, before returning down the western edge of North Hill
- heading west along Cobourg Street into Saltash Road and incorporating Victoria Park, Eldad Hill and Stoke Road
- turning west into High Street and heading south through Stonehouse to Admirals Hard following the shore line to Devil’s Point completing the boundary.
The boundary is considered 50 metres into the sea itself when shown waterside.
Previous orders for a similar area have been highly effective in helping police disperse potential troublemakers before their anti-social behaviour has a chance to escalate into more serious crimes.
This dispersal order will be particularly important to cover upcoming events including annual British Firework Championships, La Solitaire du Figaro sailing event, Pirate Weekend and the recently announced MTV Crashes Plymouth event planned for July, as well as events on the Big Screen, including Wimbledon. Many of these events are likely to attract tens of thousands of people into the city centre and onto the waterfront.
It will also tackle alcohol-fuelled anti-social behaviour and violence and the increased presence of, and anti-social behaviour caused by, street drinkers on Mutley Plain and in other areas.
Additionally, the order will enable police to address the anti-social behaviour associated with tombstoning in various waterfront sites throughout the spring and summer months.
It will be used as part of a package of measures already in place to combat crime and anti-social behaviour in the area. They include patrols by specialist police officers trained in public order situations, the use of CCTV cameras to record anti-social behaviour, patrols by street pastors in Mutley Plain and the East End and work by the Council’s Streetwise youth outreach team to engage and work with younger people.
Councillor Penberthy said: “We have a very busy spring and summer ahead, with lots of events planned and we want to make sure everyone can enjoy these safely. These dispersal order powers, along with the other measures in place, will help partner agencies and the local community work together to prevent crime and anti-social behaviour in the area.”
A dispersal order means that a police officer can instruct people to leave the area if there are reasonable grounds for believing that the presence or behaviour of two or more people in a public place has resulted – or is likely to result – in members of the public being intimidated, harassed, alarmed or distressed.
The order may be subject to call-in by Scrutiny.
