Published: Friday, 1st August, 2008 14:00
Village awaits effects of dispersal order end
By Alex Gore
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THE lifting of a dispersal order from a village plagued by anti-social yobs was greeted with mixed feelings this week.
The order was originally slapped on most of the centre of Theale in February last year, renewed last August and then again in February this year.
But it has now been scrapped, with the neighbourhood police team boasting its success after a 20% fall in anti-social behaviour incidents.
John Walker, 79, who lives on the James Butcher housing estate, said: “I think it’s a good idea.
"I just think it will give the police a chance to see what happens when the dispersal order is not there and whether they have got their message across and anti-social behaviour will continue to decrease.
“Obviously the problem has improved or the police would have renewed the order so fingers crossed it will not be needed again in the future.”
But a High Street business owner, who asked not to be named, said: “This is a nice, peaceful village until all the kids start creating problems.
"They hang around in gangs and cause trouble, so giving the police powers to move them on helps. The drop in incidents shows that it works but I suppose the real proof will be if we see them rise again now.”
West Berkshire councillor for Theale, Alan Macro, said: “I can see why the police want to do it because it is supposed to be a temporary solution and the amount of incidents has dropped quite a lot.
“But the CCTV we were promised has been delayed and I would have preferred for it to be put in place before the order was removed.”
Dispersal orders, which can last up to six months, are brought in for areas where there is persistent anti-social behaviour.
They give police the power to order groups of two or more people to leave an area if they are believed to be causing a nuisance, and can also lead to them being excluded from the area for up to 24 hours.
Neighbourhood Specialist Officer PC Matt Allen said: “We are pleased that the dispersal order has had such a positive effect in Theale over the past year.
“The removal does not mean that we will not be monitoring anti-social behaviour in the area, and if we see a rise in anti-social behaviour in the coming months, the Neighbourhood Action Group will look at reinstating the order.”
“It is hoped that a youth shelter, which is set to be installed next month, will play a key part in keeping down levels of anti-social behaviour.
“A date for the unveiling of the new shelter will be announced in the next few weeks.”
To report anti-social behaviour, contact your neighbourhood police team via Thames Valley Police’s enquiry centre on 08458 505 505.
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