Connahs Quay: Police issue Dispersal Notice in anti social behaviour crackdown

Police in Connah’s Quay are launching a crackdown on anti-social behaviour following a series of incidents at a shopping precinct in the town.

A Dispersal Notice has been issued for the area in and around the Quay Shopping Centre, Ffordd Llanarth, for this weekend, it will allow Police Officers and PCSO’s to issue notices to anti-social youths prohibiting them from being in the locality for up to 48 hours. If they return in the meantime they will be liable to arrest. 

Local inspector Ceri Hawe has issued the notice following incidents of gangs of youths causing harassment, alarm and distress to members of the public and staff at the precinct. 

She said;

“This unacceptable behaviour will not be tolerated.  A policing operation will be run this weekend and robust action will be taken against anyone causing trouble.

“We are linking in with the local schools and letters will go out to pupils to advise them. We are also asking parents and guardians to exercise their responsibilities and to make sure they know where their children are so that they are not part of the problem.”

The Dispersal Order gives the police the power to disperse individuals or groups causing or likely to cause anti-social behaviour in public places. Police Officers and PCSOs will be able to require a person to leave an area and not return for up to 48 hours. The direction can be given to anyone over the age of 10.

The officer will be able to return children under 16 home or to another place of safety, if they are behaving anti-socially and are not accompanied by an adult.

Failure to comply with the Dispersal Order is a criminal offence.

In line with the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 and subsequent anti-social behaviour legislation, police and councils have a duty to protect communities from harassment, alarm, distress and nuisance caused by those engaging in anti-social behaviour.