The introduction of dispersal areas in several Burnham-On-Sea car parks has this week been hailed a success by the town’s police after four vehicles were seized and reports of anti-social driving plummeted.
Sgt Ian Kennett said on Monday that since the new dispersal orders came into operation in October one person has been arrested, three warnings have been issued, and four cars have been seized from their owners.
Sgt Kennett told Burnham-On-Sea.com the initiative has been “a success” and added: “We’re getting far fewer complaints regarding anti-social driving since the dispersal areas came into operation.”
Burnham police have also served at least 11 notices to move groups on since the dispersal areas came into affect, he added.
Burnham-On-Sea.com was first to report in October that Burnham police wanted to use Dispersal Orders to stamp out anti-social behaviour in local car parks, such as Morrisons on Burnham seafront (pictured right).
The new dispersal areas were initially due to be in place for a period of six months from 22nd October, but Sgt Kennett told a town council meeting that it is possible that police will suspend the areas for a short time before re-introducing them later in 2010 to make maximum use of the time available.
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 request that they do not return for a period not exceeding 24 hours.
