Police in Burnham-On-Sea and Highbridge have this week been given the go-ahead to introduce new dispersal areas in several car parks in the town.
Burnham-On-Sea.com was first to report earlier this month that Inspector Roger Tolley wanted to use Dispersal Orders to stamp out anti-social behaviour in local car parks, such as the Morrisons parking area on Burnham seafront (pictured above).
This week, Somerset West District Deputy Commander, Trevor Margenout, and Sedgemoor District Council’s Chief Executive, Kerry Rickards, gave their approval to the scheme.
The designated areas are the South Esplanade, Marine Drive and a number of public and private car parks in and around Burnham and Highbridge where groups of motorists congregating and behaving in an anti-social manner is a problem.
The new dispersal areas will initially be in place for a period of six months from today (Thursday, 22nd October).
Under the Anti Social Behaviour Act 2003, the orders mean that where police officers and PCSOs have reasonable grounds for believing that the presence or behaviour of a group of persons has resulted or is likely to result in the public being intimidated, harassed, alarmed or distressed, they can direct the persons to disperse and not to return for a period not exceeding 24 hours.
Furthermore, it is an offence to fail to comply with the directions and offenders can be arrested without a warrant. The sentence imposed by a court can be a fine, imprisonment for a period up to three months, or both.
Inspector Roger Tolley, pictured, told Burnham-On-Sea.com on Thursday: “The aim of this authorisation is to assist local officers and other community partners in preventing antisocial behaviour in these areas.”
“Irresponsible driving and associated antisocial behaviour connected with vehicle use by a few persistent and inconsiderate people has a disproportionate effect on the quality of life of many other people.”
“The community have reasonably asked the police to work towards removing this problem. Our response will be to target those who have little respect for the other, law abiding members of the community.”
“We have tried a number of initiatives that have had a varying degree of success over the years. The addition of this order to the options we have will benefit us in striving for a safer and stronger community for everyone.”
“The power will be used cautiously by officers but with a determination to improve the quality of lives for local people. I want to assure the public that people who drive responsibly and gather in orderly groups in the designated areas have absolutely nothing to fear from this development.”
Pictured is one of the dispersal area signs at the Morrisons car park on Burnham seafront, and (above) Inspector Roger Tolley
