Police dispersal powers extended in Eltham

12:33pm Tuesday 1st May 2012 in News By Mark Chandler

Dispersal orders can be made in Eltham Dispersal orders can be made in Eltham

POLICE powers to disperse troublemakers in Eltham are being extended after being used against 98 people since their introduction last year.

Greenwich police will be able to use dispersal orders for another six months, meaning they can quickly remove troublemakers from around the high street.

Originally introduced last October as a weapon against assaults and disorder, much of it involving schoolchildren, the powers were due to expire in April but will now be extended until October.

The orders have been credited with reducing crime by around 50 per cent in January and December compared to the previous year.

But a Greenwich Council report highlights ongoing problems with "youths using McDonalds as a youth club" and "a rowdy group of 20 to 30 youths being rowdy at the Eltham Lights Up event".

The six-month extension has been agreed by Greenwich Council cabinet member for community safety and enforcement Councillor O’Mara.

Related links

Comments(4)

j.j. says...
1:45pm Tue 1 May 12

The dispersal orders have probably been effective for McDonalds and certain other traders on the High Street. However, I've noticed more youths loitering in various parks around Eltham in the last few months and I wonder if the problem has simply been pushed from high street chains to residents. It seems that different authorities - the council, police, politicians etc. - are very focused on the High Street and that problems outside of it receive much less attention. I'm grateful for the good work they have done to re-generate the High Street, but maybe it's time for them to shift their attention back to ordinary residents, their environment and their issues.

Report this post »

the wall says...
4:28pm Tue 1 May 12

Business counts residents don't. However this dispersal order didn't stop the young little blonde slapper with her mate from spitting in the church grounds on Friday evening.

Report this post »

GreenwichGuy says...
8:59pm Tue 1 May 12

This is lazy policing and council ineptitude at it height.

Are we suggesting that without these draconian dispersal zone powers the police and council could not have handled these 98 antisocial events?

Council, if MacDonalds is a problem, sort it out. Police, use your already significant powers to sort it out.

Dispersal zone's simply move the problem to other areas and I suggest that in doing so any claim of crime drop rates is simply a statistic's manipulation.

Report this post »

Linja says...
12:35pm Wed 2 May 12

I am not saying there should be Youth Clubs for these youngsters to go to BUT there should be something. I realise there are swimming baths and plenty of places to eat in and around Eltham but very little else IF one hasn't much if any money.

Report this post »

click2find

About cookies

We want you to enjoy your visit to our website. That's why we use cookies to enhance your experience. By staying on our website you agree to our use of cookies. Find out more about the cookies we use.

I agree