Dispersal Zone reducing anti-social behaviour in York

Police in York have seen a reduction in anti-social behaviour in the Fishergate ward after a Dispersal Zone was successfully put in place.

News 3

During August and September there were 90 reported incidents relating to anti-social behaviour in Wenlock Terrace and the surrounding streets, leading to Millennium Bridge.

As a result a multi-agency operation has been set up in partnership with City of York Council and Social Services to provide high-visibility reassurance to local residents and achieve a long term reduction in crime and anti-social behaviour.

The Dispersal Zone, which is being enforced by the Operation Drystone team, has been in force since October and has already seen a reduction in anti-social behaviour in the area.

Over the past month the number of reported incidents of anti-social behaviour has fallen to 28 compared to 39 in September and 51 in August.

The number of actual crimes in the area has fallen to 20 from 33 in September and the number of incidents as a whole have fallen from 201 to 154 in the last month.

Police have the power to disperse intimidating groups from within the Dispersal Zone and exclude people from the area for a period of 24 hours. Youths under 16 can be taken back to their home address if not accompanied by an adult after 9pm.

Police inform the Council of any youth returned home. If the offender returns to the area before the designated time-scale has expired, they are taken home again with a last-chance warning that Social Services will become involved should it happen again.

Sergeant Andy Haigh, of the South East and Rural West Safer Neighbourhood Team, said: "The community within the zone has suffered from high levels of anti-social behaviour and low-level crime recently.

"With their support and the work we have initiated within the partnership, we have targeted the ringleaders and made arrests.

"The Dispersal Zone sends a strong message out to residents and the offenders that the police and the communities we serve will not tolerate this type of behaviour.

"We will use a range of powers to deal with the minority of people who cause trouble for law abiding citizens.

"I am pleased to say that the Dispersal Zone is working and we have seen a reduction in crime and anti-social behaviour in the area since it was implemented."

Anyone failing to comply with a direction to disperse can be arrested and the offence carries a prison sentence of up to three months.

Anyone who would like to report anti-social behaviour in their area is urged to contact North Yorkshire Police on 0845 60 60 24 7.

Alternatively Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111.

20 November 2009