24 November 2008 - Thames Valley Police in partnership with Milton Keynes Council have obtained a dispersal order for New Bradwell and Stantonbury as part of a crackdown on anti-social behaviour.

The order, which goes live on 1 December 2008 and runs until 31 May 2009, will allow police and police community support officers (PCSOs) to move groups of two or more people away from the dispersal area and prevent them from returning within a 24-hour period.

A person who is under the age of 16 in the area between 9pm and 6am, unsupervised by an appropriate adult over the age of 18, can be removed and taken back home by an officer or PCSO.

The dispersal order is being introduced in direct response to complaints from local residents about underage drinking, rowdiness and noise nuisance. There have also been problems over the last few months with groups congregating and causing trouble for local residents and businesses.

Acting Inspector Kevin McGraa said: “As always, it’s a small minority of individuals who are causing the problems. The dispersal order will help us to target those individuals and deal with them effectively. Dispersal orders have worked well in other areas of the city and can act as a deterrent to young people who are at risk of getting drawn into trouble.”

The dispersal order is granted under the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003 and is a multi-agency approach. Authorisation is needed from the local authority as well as the police and the process of consultation involves a number of key agencies within both organizations. Local Parish and Ward councillors, together with shops and businesses, have added their support to the application.

Posters will be placed in the locality advising you of the order and what it means to you.