News

Kent Police and Shepway District Council are clamping down on anti-social behaviour in Hawkinge.

Both partners have agreed to use their powers under the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003 to make part of the village a ‘Designated Dispersal Area’.

It follows a rise during the last six weeks in the number of crime reports and arrests for assaults, criminal damage and public order.

According to Police, local shops have also complained about young people congregating outside their premises and in some cases causing a nuisance by asking adults to buy alcohol for them.

The dispersal area means police officers have the power to disperse groups of two or more people who are causing intimidation, alarm or distress in the areas around Aerodrome Road, Mill Lane, Canterbury Road and the community Centre

PC Trevor Moody and PC John Weller

Young people under the age of 16 who are not accompanied by a responsible adult can be taken back to their homes between the hours of 9.00 pm and 6.00 am.

The Dispersal Area started on Thursday 4 November and finishes on Friday 2 April 2011.

To fail to comply is an arrestable offence punishable by a fine and/or three months imprisonment.

The decision to apply for a Designated Dispersal Area was made by PC John Weller, Shepway’s Anti-Social Behaviour Investigator and was approved by South Kent Area Commander, Chief Supt Chris Hogben and Shepway Council Chief Executive Alistair Stewart.

PC John Weller said: “This is not something Kent Police or Shepway Council has taken lightly and is something that gives us an extra tool to deal with the small number of people involved in committing crime and anti-social behaviour.

“Many people were concerned about groups of youths congregating in the evening, especially outside TESCO supermarket causing intimidation and distress and generally disturbing their quality of life.

“There is a successful Roller Disco in Hawkinge on Friday nights which is a great facility for young people and one that’s enjoyed by many in the village.

“Unfortunately there is a small but significant number of young people from places like Folkestone, Lydd and New Romney who travel to Hawkinge when the Roller Disco is on and use it as an excuse to cause anti-social behaviour. This will not be tolerated and those intent on causing trouble may find themselves being sent home.”

YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED

Which areas are covered?

The dispersal area is: the area bounded by Spitfire Way, fenced boundary of Killing Woods, Canterbury Road and Aerodrome Road. This includes Car Park areas, public areas and alleyways within.

Why was it introduced

Hawkinge is a thriving village with a large population and is a pleasant place to live and socialise. Residents and local traders should expect to live and work there without being subject to anti-social behaviour. A dispersal zone has been declared in Hawkinge because we want to ensure the area is free of any antisocial behaviour that may arise as a result of groups of young people that do from time to time congregate there.

Where some groups of young people congregate some issues of anti social behaviour and intimidation have been occurring. There has been a rise in the number of crime reports for minor criminal damage, assaults and public order offences.

A number of arrests have been made and local neighbourhood officers have been patrolling the area, but complaints are still being received.

It is difficult to Police the issues because in many cases – young people are simply gathered and no crimes are being committed. Any substantive crimes are dealt with by police in the normal manner, however when an individual or group of individuals cause problems and police are called, the only action that can be taken is to ask the youths to move away. They of course are within their rights to stay as at the time of the Police visit, the individuals concerned start to behave, the minute the police leave, the antagonistic behaviour continues.

How is the dispersal zone going to be enforced?

The Anti Social Behaviour Act 2003 allows groups of people to be dispersed from the dispersal zone for a period of 24 hours. The Police are not going to disperse anyone behaving appropriately or going about there normal daily business. The only individuals that will be dispersed are those that have been identified by members of the public, or even via CCTV as causing antagonistic behaviour. This will allow names and addresses to be obtained and will allow Police officers to take appropriate action. Under-16s can be returned to their home address or a place of safety after 2100 hours. Dispersal is for a period up to 24 hours and return within 24hrs is an arrestable offence.

The emphasis is on quality not quantity and officers will be instructed to ensure that they record the exact grounds for which an individual / groups of individuals are being dispersed.

How long will the dispersal zone last?

The details of the dispersal zone are declared on posters displayed around the village. The boundary is quite large and includes car parks and alleyways. The dispersal zone is in place for six months continuously from 4 November 2010 to 2 April 2011 and will be reviewed on a regular basis