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Yobs face new police powers
Bethan Dorsett2/10/2007
YOB gangs will be separated if they gather on the streets in and around the town centre under new police powers which come into force today.
A dispersal order is being used to combat youth nuisance in The Esplanade, South Parade, Drake Street, Oldham Road and Manchester Road.
Under the new powers, officers can disperse gangs of two or more if they gather to cause trouble, while under-16s suspected of engaging in criminal activity will be escorted home after 9pm.
Anyone seen flouting the ban within 24 hours will be arrested.
Launched on Monday, the order will last to the new year and will be an effective tool in combating repeat complaints about youth nuisance.
Police Sergeant Andy Pilling said: "We want to reassure the local community we are responding to recent reports of public order, nuisance and assaults in the vicinity.
"For instance, members of the public have told us how afraid they are to use Broadfield Park due to heavy drinkers congregating there."
Sergeant Pilling is hoping to match the success achieved in Healey ward, where a similar order allowed officers to issue warnings to at least 100 offenders.
"I hope the dispersal order will get the message across to young people that anti-social behaviour and underage drinking will not be tolerated in Rochdale," he added.
"This is just one of a number of steps being taken to tackle nuisance behaviour and is an opportunity to make local communities safer and friendlier places to live."
The new dispersal order has the full backing of the Rochdale safer communities partnership, said John Johnson, safer communities manager.
"Residents and businesses in the area have expressed concerns about a number of community safety issues, including youth nuisance, street drinking and criminal damage," he said.
"We are confident this order will send out a strong message this type of behaviour will not be tolerated and that people have a right to live and work free from the fear of crime and anti-social behaviour."
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4/10/2007 at 09:10