Community Update Leaflet

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Dispersal Zone for Luton

A dispersal zone has been introduced in an area of Medway following complaints from residents.

Medway Police have joined forces with Medway Council to disperse groups of troublemakers who have been behaving anti-socially in the Luton and Wayfield area.

The aim of the dispersal zone is to prevent and disrupt anti-social behaviour by identifying known troublemakers.

A dispersal notice has been introduced for a number of designated roads within the Luton area, they are: Luton High Street, Tramways, Church Terrace, Coronation Road, Upper Luton Road (Lower), Church Hill, Beacon Road, Beacon Hill, Village View, Queens Road, Kings Road and Nelson Terrace.

The order will run from Saturday, 10 December 2011 until Saturday, 10 March 2012 and will be managed by Inspector David Matson from the Medway Neighbourhood Team. Police officers, Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) and Medway Council Enforcement Officers can disperse groups of two or more people and tell those who do not live in the area to leave and not return for up to 24 hours.

Anyone who refuses or breaches the notice can be arrested. It is punishable on conviction of a custodial sentence of up to three months and/or a fine of up to £2,500.

Commenting Cllr Tristan Osborne

"Labour Councillor's have been working with PACTs and local residents to get this dispersal zone in place

Only last week we saw a mugging on Luton Road and the Police responded in a swift manner to apprehend and pursue the culprit.

There is clear demand from local residents for this zone and we are pleased to have partnered with all parties to get this in place.

Luton Road residents deserve better and we will be working very closely to see anti-social behaviour opposed and done so with the full arsenal of the law"

Dispersal Zone Success

All thee Luton & Wayfield Councillor's attend the Luton PACT meeting last week and it was clear from that meeting that residents in the ward want to see a reduction in the level of anti-social behaviour; both from youths on the streets to noisy and incosiderate neighbours.

On the doorstep it is close to the number one issue raised by residents and combating anti-social behaviour must continue to be a focus for Police.

The Luton team supported the Dispersal Zone surrounding Magpie Hall Road and are pleased that the number of reported incidents, logged officially by the Police, has seen a welcome reduction.

Where youth's have been told to disperse many have done so.

The journalist in this case has used the evidence of one store holder on Luton Road, which is a natural thoroughfare, to make a judgement not born out by statistical or empirical evidence. It is simply not accurate to state that the community oppose Dispersal Zones by inference, or otherwise.

It is also incorrect to say the zone has not been advertised. The zones have been noted in several articles, including incidently in the Medway Messenger, and the Police have tried to make local business aware through direct contact with youths and business impacted by those causing problems.

The PACT meeting we attended was full because residents further up Luton Road are observing the same problems that were noted on Magpie Hall Road many months ago. Residents have had enough and support the zone.

Luton Road does have its problems which is why local Councillors have supported the Disperzal Zone and are working hard to see it expanded.

Dispersal Zone Success

Medway Messenger - 05/08/2011

Very pleased to see that the Dispersal Zone has been a success and we hope to get resident and PACT feedback shortly.

As ward councillors we will be meeting Sgt Dave Venus-Coppard shortly to underscore our support for the Dispersal Zone and our desire to see it extended into other parts of Luton and into Wayfield.

Medway Council do need to be more responsive to applications for Dispersal Zones and we welcome and support any effort by Cllr Mike O'Brien as Medway Safety Partnership lead to see what can be done.