West Green Safer Neighbourhoods Team introduces dispersal order
24 January 2012
Officers have received complaints from the community about anti-social and criminal behaviour such as youths smoking drugs and hanging around in groups being intimidating towards people living in the area.
In response to the concerns raised, the local Safer Neighbourhoods Team has carrying out drug search warrants in the ward and patrolling the area, with other police units also directed to assist with patrols. Where offences are identified officers have made arrests for possession of drugs by using intelligence led stop and search.
"We have introduced this dispersal order in response to concern from the community."
To further assist the officers with tackling local concerns they will be introducing a dispersal order to the area around Langham Road N15 for an initial period of six months from Monday 30th January.
The dispersal order will now enable officers to deal with the issue of anti-social behaviour, as the legislation gives police officers and PCSOs discretionary powers to disperse groups of two or more at any time.
Anyone that returns to the area within a specified time of up to 24 hours, having been told leave, can be arrested for the offence which is punishable by three months' imprisonment and or a fine not exceeding £2,500.
Specific powers mean that officers can take home young people under the age of 16 between the hours of 9pm and 6am in the designated area, who are not under the supervision of a responsible adult and are at risk of being a victim or perpetrator of anti social behaviour.
Police and PCSOs will continue to regularly patrol the dispersal areas throughout the period of the dispersal notice.
The order has been secured using specific powers available from Section 30 of the Anti Social Behaviour Act and covers Langham Place, part of Langham Road, part of Carlingford Road, Ivatt Way, Graham Road, Crescent Road and part of Downhills Park Road.
The order will be introduced by Haringey police and Haringey Council at 12:00 hours on Monday 30 January 2012 and will be in place until 12:00 hours on 30 July 2012. The order will be reviewed after this time.
Sgt Mike Tisi of West Green Safer Neighbourhoods Team said: "We have introduced this dispersal order in response to concern from the community about intimidating behaviour by groups of youths. We have been working to tackle the criminal aspect of what has been reported to us by carrying out search warrants and activity to target the use or supply of illegal drugs. The dispersal order means that now we can tackle another part of the problem that affects the quality of life of people living in the area.
"We will use common sense and discretion to ensure that we use the power in an appropriate way to address the concerns of local people who have a right to go about their business without being made to feel intimidated.
"We will continue to carry out search warrants, high visibility patrols and make appropriate use of stop and search to tackle the issues that concern the local community."
Anyone with information about crime, disorder and anti-social behaviour in West Green ward is asked to contact West Green Safer Neighbourhoods Team.