Police to remove groups from new "dispersal zone"
Local police will be able to ask groups to move on from a newly created “dispersal zone”, which comes into effect this Thursday (7 August), in a bid to tackle anti-social behaviour in the area.
Following an agreement between the police and the council, uniformed police and Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) will now be able to disperse groups within the specified zone under the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003.
The zone runs from the junction of Uxbridge Road and Wood Lane to the junction of Uxbridge Road and Askew Road and includes 100 metres of all the side streets on both the southern and northern sides of Uxbridge Road.
Under the Act, police will also be able to tell people who do not live in the zoned area to leave it and not to return for up to 24 hours.
Teenagers who are asked to move on may face being escorted home by police: “If you are under 16, you may not be allowed to be here between 9pm and 6am unless you are under the effective control of a parent or responsible person over the age of 18. You may be removed to your home or place of safety if more appropriate,” a police notice states.
“To contravene a direction is an offence, punishable by 3 months’ imprisonment and/or a fine not exceeding £2,500,” it warns.
Residents in Tunis Road appeared sceptical of the new measures: “I think they are using it for other purposes,” said one woman as she read the notice pinned to a lamppost near her home. “That zone covers an area where ordinary folks live. This is not equal. Why is it zoned off? It’s aimed at young black kids. If my kids and their mates get a bit excited, are they going to be picked up by police?” she said.
“What’s going to happen when private school people come out of their schools and get blind drunk? I want to see it applied equally,” said a man who was also reading the notice.
The couple also expressed concern that young people might not be aware of the zone: “Did they bring this to the attention of the schools before they broke up? If they don’t know their rights, they’re subject to this without knowing it,” they said.
Police say the dispersal zone was introduced after several residents in the area complained of groups drinking in the streets and acting in a way "that could be considered anti-social”.
“In response to concerns raised by the local community we have taken the decision in partnership with the local authority to introduce a dispersal zone,” said Detective Superintendent Stephen Cassidy, MPS Hammersmith & Fulham. “This is a useful tool for officers on the 24/7 team who patrol the area on a daily basis, to help them combat incidents of anti-social behaviour in this area,” he added.
Police have been keen to emphasise the intention behind the dispersal zone: “It must be stressed this is not intended as a blanket ban on people meeting each other in the street. This approach is intended to tackle anti-social behaviour (including insulting/intimidating behaviour, disorder, assaults, robberies and vandalism).
“Officers have the right to use their discretion where appropriate. However, where individuals’ actions are considered as anti-social to the majority of the community, dispersal legislation will be enforced.”
The dispersal zone comes into force at 00:01hrs on Thursday 7th August 2008 and will be in effect until 23:59hrs on Saturday 31st January 2009.
Yasmine Estaphanos
5 August 2008
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