Police crack down on anti-social behaviour in Leamington’s Old Town

Starting on Friday (August 2), police officers and police community support officers will be able to dispoerse groups of two or more people - and if those requested to leave fail to do so, or return to the same area within 24 hours, they may be arrested.

The parents of anyone arrested who is 17 or under will also be informed by the police of their actions. A fine or up to three months’ imprisonment can be given to anyone convicted of anti-social behaviour offences - which include drunk and disorderly behaviour and begging.

Safer neighbourhood team sergeant Paul Calver said: “The purpose of this order is not to ruin people’s fun, but rather ensure that we are able to deal effectively with particular groups whose behaviour has resulted in, or is likely to result in any member of the public being intimated, harassed, alarmed or distressed.”

The order will run until February 2 next year to cover what police consider to be the ‘peak periods’ of anti-social behaviour during the summer and Christmas.

There are already ‘dispersal zones’ in Leamington town centre, but from now they are also in Lower Avenue, Tachbrook Road, the Grand Union Canal, Clemens Street, Brunswick Street, Llewellyn Road, Alexander Road, Eagle recreation ground, Althorpe Street, George Street, Mill Street and Mill Gardens.

Warwick District councillor Michael Coker, chairman of the South Warwickshire Community Safety Partnership, has worked closely with Warwickshire Police to put this order in place. He said, “Over the last year anti-social behaviour has gone down in the town centre by nearly 14 per cent when compared to July 2012 and down 3.2 per cent in south Leamington.

“Of course we want to reduce it even more so that everyone can enjoy and feel safe in our town centre. This order is to send a strong message to those who cause disruption to think twice before doing so.”