Dispersal order issued in Louth

A dispersal order has been issued in Louth, following several reports of underage drinking and antisocial behaviour in the area. 

There have been reports of youths drinking and causing antisocial behaviour, being noisy and being generally intimidating for people in the town.  A PCSO found herself in an altercation when trying to seize bottles of alcohol from a number of youths.

We have now issued a dispersal order which prevents groups of youths gathering in a specific area and gives our officers the power to exclude individuals from an area for up to 48 hours - anyone who doesn't comply could be arrested and prosecuted. Furthermore, a police officer or PCSO can direct the person to surrender any item in the person's possession or control that the constable reasonably believes has been used or is likely to be used in behaviour that harasses, alarms or distresses members of the public.

The order was granted today (Tuesday 13 August) and will remain in place until 3.30am tomorrow morning (Wednesday 14 August).

The order covers the following areas:

High Holme Road, The B1250 To Westgate,
Westgate to Schoolhouse Lane,
Schoolhouse Lane to Gospelgate,
Gospelgate to Edward Street
Edward Street to South Street
South Street to NewMarket
Newmarket to Stewton Lane
Stewton Lane to Wood Lane
Wood Lane to St Bernards Avenue
St Bernards Avenue to Riverhead Road
Riverhead Road to Victoria Road
Victoria Road to Keddington Road
Keddington Road to High Holme Road

The boundaries of this order encompasses the majority of the town centre and includes the entirety of each road listed above.

Officers will be making patrols of the area throughout the evening, and anyone engaging in anti-social behaviour will be made to leave the vicinity immediately.

We are asking parents and carers to know where their children are over the summer holidays.

Inc 313 of today refers.