Dispersal order and increased police patrols as Chester braces for influx of racegoers

As Chester readies for a high-profile race day at its historic racecourse this weekend, Cheshire Police is taking steps to ensure a safe environment for all attendees and residents alike. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

This Saturday, May 27, is set to see a flood of visitors converging on the city centre, in anticipation of the popular race day event. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

To maintain order, police presence will be significantly amplified throughout the weekend, with additional officers patrolling the bustling city streets. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

Additional officers will be on patrol throughout the weekend to help keep everyone safe. In addition, to help support the operation a dispersal order will also be in place from 10am on Saturday 27 May until 8am on Sunday 28 May. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

The dispersal order will allow officers to ban anyone from the town for up to 48 hours to prevent disorder. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

It has been imposed under Section 34 of the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, making it an offence for anyone to return to a specific area for up to 48 hours. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

The area covered by the order is highlighted in the mapped area. The map is provided to anyone issued with a direction to leave. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

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Inspector James Wilson, discussing these arrangements, reiterated that the goal of these measures is to ensure everyone’s enjoyment and safety, be it residents, racegoers, or local businesses. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

“Once again, the races are expected to bring thousands of visitors to the city this weekend and we want everyone to enjoy their time here,” Wilson stated. “That’s why we’ll have an increased presence in the area and have put this order in place.” ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

Dispelling any misinterpretation of the dispersal orders, Wilson added, “I want to be clear that issuing dispersal orders is not officers ‘taking this behaviour lightly’, in fact, these orders allow us to take robust action. These orders are an additional tactical option that allow us to deal with anti-social behaviour head on.” ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

He urged residents and businesses to report any instances of anti-social behaviour promptly so as to address these issues effectively. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

Cheshire Police encourages anyone with information about anti-social behaviour in their area to get in touch via the Cheshire Police website or by dialling 101. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

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