Police have been granted new powers to tackle anti-social behaviour in the Ayscoughfee Gardens and The Vista areas of Spalding after it became a hotspot for vandalism.
Next Friday will see the official launch of Operation Warrington, which will see officers carrying out extra patrols of the area to coincide with the start of the school holidays.
Community Policing Inspector Jim Tyner explained: “Recent months have seen an increase in crime and anti-social behaviour so it is important that we consider every power available to us to address the issue.
“Although the power we will be using is called a Dispersal Order, the aim is to make sure the public space of Ayscoughfee is available for all that want to use it responsibly and considerately.
“People should also be able to use St Nicolas Church Hall and The Vista without hindrance.”
Inspector Tyner has been granted a dispersal order under Section 30 of the Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003 for the vicinity of The Vista, Ayscoughfee Hall and Ayscoughfee Gardens in Spalding. The order will be effective from July 25 until October 1.
Lincolnshire Police and South Holland District Council believe that the authorisation of this order is a strong, unambiguous and effective piece of legislation that will allow the police to disperse groups before they grow in size and commit anti-social behaviour.
The timing of this dispersal order is intended to break the offending cycle during the warmer evenings and the school holidays.
A police spokesman said dispersal orders provide short-term relief and galvanise local activity, opening a window of opportunity in which to develop long-term solutions to the problem.
He said: “They form part of a wider multi-agency strategy to tackle the problem and represent an important message that something is being done: they are not intended as a stand-alone ‘sticking plaster’ response.”
This dispersal order allows police to remove groups of two or more from the area. It is not a curfew, however it does also provide a power for children under 16 to be removed and taken home if found in the area between 9pm and 6am.
It is Inspector Tyner’s intention that this operation will be policed by the local community policing team, with an emphasis on engagement rather than enforcement.
The same officers are involved in projects in local senior schools and are considered the most appropriate to encourage diversion away from anti-social behaviour.
Deputy leader of South Holland District Council Nick Worth said: “I am pleased to support this police initiative. It is intended to address the ASB problem in and around the Ayscoughfee and Vista areas in order to allow for a longer-term strategy to be developed and implemented.”
