Issue - meetings

Report of the Cabinet Member Housing and Safety

RESOLVED that :

1. Cabinet consent be given to the Relevant Officer of Gloucestershire Constabulary that powers conferred by section 30 of the Anti Social Behaviour Act 2003 are to be exercisable (subject to the Dispersal Order Protocol attached at appendix C as amended) for the period from 00.01 hours on 30 November 2012 to 23:59 hours on 24 May 2013 in respect of the area as outlined on the map at appendix B.

2. That Cabinet receive a report back on the implementation of the dispersal order once the period of authorisation has expired.

The Cabinet Member Housing and Safety introduced the report and invited Acting Inspector Tim Hutchinson to address Cabinet.

Acting Inspector Tim Hutchinson explained that four hotspots of antisocial behaviour had been identified in the centre of town i.e. St Mary’s Churchyard, Outside McDonalds, High Street and Jenner Gardens. Consultation has been undertaken in the area with community groups, businesses, councillors and residents in order to get a better understanding of the problem. Anti-social behaviour (asb) was having a negative effect on the quality of life for individuals and communities alike within the area. Those consulted were therefore supportive of a dispersal order in order to reduce asb incidents. In terms of publicity, posters had been displayed in shop windows around the border of the proposed dispersal order zone inviting comments on the proposal. No negative responses had been received.

Acting Inspector Tim Hutchinson stated that the Dispersal Order would give the Police an additional tool to tackle anti-social behaviour in a preventative and proactive rather than a reactive way. It would also empower the Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) to deal with antisocial behaviour. He explained that if issued the Dispersal Order would require 2 or more individuals to leave the designated area for up to 24 hours. There were special provisions created under the 2003 Anti-Social Behaviour Act empowering the police to remove to their home any young person under 16 who is out on the streets in a dispersal zone between 9pm and 6aman not accompanied by an adult. He emphasised that by implementing the order there would not be an increase in policing as PCSOs were present in the town centre every day. He referred to the updated Dispersal Order Protocol which had been tabled and which is attached to these minutes for information. The Protocol sets out how the Order is put into practice.  He also explained that once the period of authorisation for the dispersal order had expired the Police would report back to the Anti Social Behaviour Steering Group and Cabinet.

When asked by a member whether this was a heavy handed tool, the Acting Inspector clarified that the aim was to engage with those people who were involved in antisocial behaviour before issuing the order. It was hoped that the majority would respond to this. A person does not commit an offence because an officer had chosen to use the power to disperse, but failure to follow the officer’s directions constituted an offence. The Police would also work in partnership with other agencies so the underlying causes of antisocial behaviour could be addressed.

Members recognised that the town centre was perceived as a troubled place but highlighted the fact that the police had been very successful in driving down antisocial behaviour and other types of crime and its work was supported by the borough council and other organisations. Members felt that if the Police were of the view that issuing a dispersal order would assist in addressing  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6