Dispersal Orders
A Dispersal Order is a power that is granted by a senior police officer, where is has been proven that a certain location has been identified as an area where Anti-Social Behaviour is a particularly persistent problem.
If it is suspected that Anti-Social Behaviour is taking place or may occur then Police Officers and Police Community Support Officers have the power to direct groups or individuals to leave the designated area and not return for up to 24 hours. After 9.00 pm, in certain circumstances, police can also return home someone under the age of 16. Refusal to leave a dispersal area is an offence.
This power is not aimed at disrupting the lives of law abiding people going about their everyday activities. As such, it is unlikely that you will be affected if you are just passing through a dispersal area on your way home or if the police feel you are unlikely to cause trouble.