Dispersal order granted against gangs of West Bromwich youths
Police have been granted new powers to try to stop groups of youths blighting part of West Bromwich with anti-social behaviour. A dispersal order, effective from July 1, has been granted.
It will allow officers and PCSOs to remove groups of two or more young people found congregating in Greets Green and Lyng. It was secured following reports of anti-social behaviour and youths loitering. Officers visited residents to discuss concerns and have been working with Neighbourhood Watch groups, youth workers and Sandwell Council.
Police have also been working closely with youth services to offer alternative interventions and positive activities for young people.
These are aimed at diverting youngsters away from traditional haunts plagued by anti-social behaviour.
Under Section 30 of the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003, police have the power to remove groups of two or more people from the dispersal zone and return young people under the age of 16, if unsupervised, to their homes.
Sgt Sarah Smyth, from the Greets Green and Lyng neighbourhood team, said: "My officers hope to significantly reduce anti-social behaviour in the area during this six- month period and will be patrolling on a daily basis to ensure the order is adhered to.
"We will be paying particular attention to hotspot locations identified by the community within the dispersal area and will be looking to take further action against those who are repeatedly found to be flouting the order.
"We are committed to reducing anti-social behaviour and hope this will make a real difference to local people, their neighbours and the wider community.
"My team will be signposting young people to the wide variety of youth clubs and activities that are available locally and encourage groups to meet on open spaces instead of in the streets," she said.
Police were recently granted another dispersal order to move on gangs of yobs in Tipton.
Placed on roads such as Coronation Road, Hall Lane and part of St Marks Road, it gave police the power to move on gangs of yobs who were making residents' lives a misery.
The six-month order came to an end in March and police chiefs said they believed the order has had the desired effect by driving young people away from the street and toward constructive activities.
During the order only four people were dispersed.
