Stone Town Centre and Westbridge Park are currently subject to a dispersal order, with the aim of stamping out antisocial incidents.
Writing on the Staffordshire Smart Alert System, Stone PCSO Sarah Fordham writes:
“Please be advised that a Dispersal Order is in place in Stone Town Centre and Westbridge Park over the next few days to assist with reducing anti-social behaviour.
The order, granted under Section 34 of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, gives officers the power to disperse anyone for the purpose of or reducing the likelihood of members of the public in the locality being harassed, alarmed or distressed or the occurrence of crime and disorder.
Failing to comply with the order is a criminal offence and Police can return anyone under the age of 16 to their home address. As part of the powers, we can issue the notices for a period of up to 48 hours and anyone found breaching a notice is liable to be arrested and face further action. Police can also seize items causing, or likely to cause anti-social behaviour such as alcohol, cans of spray paint and bikes.”
