Police get additional power to disperse trouble-makers in Dover town centre

Dover town centre has become a Designated Dispersal Area as a temporary measure to give police more powers to deal with anti-social behaviour.

From yesterday (Monday 28 October 2013) until Sunday 27 April 2014 uniformed officers, including Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs), have added powers to disperse groups congregating in the designated area causing intimidation, alarm or distress.

The aim of the dispersal order is to help officers tackle the minority of people who cause trouble and spoil the peace and enjoyment for everybody else.

The decision to apply for a Dispersal Area was made by Kent Police in partnership with Dover District Council following an increase in reports from the public and local businesses about anti-social behaviour for example nuisance youths around the Charlton shopping centre and town drinkers around market square and the High street causing issues for members of the public.

The order has been authorised by Kent Police and Dover District Council under powers enshrined in the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003.

Under the Act, any group of two or more people found causing intimidation, harassment, alarm or distress in the designated area can be dispersed by a uniformed officer. Also young people under the age of 16 who are not accompanied by a responsible adult can be taken back to their homes.

To fail to comply is an offence punishable by a fine and/or three months imprisonment.

The dispersal area includes Dover Priory Station to the west, the area around Priory Road, High Street, Bridge Street, Charlton Green, Maison Dieu Road, Castle Hill Road, Marine Parade, Waterloo Crescent and Townwall Street.

Dover Community Safety Unit will be continuing its 'Reduce the Strength' campaign which started in May and targets the issue of the town centre drinkers. Off licenced premises within the town area have signed up to an agreement that means they will not sell 'super strength' canned alcohol to anyone involved in any form of Anti-Social Behaviour.

Inspector Ian Swallow said: "The complaints that we have received are about anti-social behaviour and intimidation directed towards those living and working in the area and about general nuisance.

"The dispersal zone gives the police a discretionary power to move trouble-makers on, which is something we cannot do otherwise unless they are committing specific offences.

"It is an extra tool to help us deal with a minority of people who persist in causing a nuisance and spoiling the quality of life that people in Dover."