A Dispersal Order covering an area of Blackwater has been extended until January.

Officers from the Blackwater and Hawley Safer Neighbourhoods Team were granted an extension to the existing Section 30 Dispersal Order in Bell Lane and the surrounding area following reports that anti-social behaviour in the area remained a persistent problem for residents and the community.

The order, issued under section 30 of the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003, came into force at 12.01am on Friday, July 24. It will now expire at noon on Sunday, January 24.

The order covers the area bordered by and including Bell Lane, Maple Gardens, Frogmore Road and Frogmore Green.

Under the Act, uniformed officers and PCSOs can disperse groups of two or more people whose behaviour they believe has, or is likely to, result in any member of the public being intimidated, harassed, alarmed or distressed by:

• Telling people in the group to leave the area

• Telling people who don’t live in the area to leave

• Telling people who don’t live in the area not return for a period of up to 24 hours.

Anyone who remains in, or returns to, the area after being told to leave can be arrested and could face three months in prison or a fine of up to £5,000.

The dispersal order enables police to take a pro-active approach to moving on groups who cause problems within the community.

PC Natalie Gardner, from the Blackwater and Hawley Safer Neighbourhoods Team, said: “The Section 30 Dispersal Order has proved a success as several people have been dispersed from the area and found not to breach the terms of the legislation, however there are still a small minority that have been identified as continuing to cause problems within the area of Bell Lane.

“Therefore in consultation with local businesses and residents, it was decided that an extension until January was appropriate in an effort to continue to address the issues of anti-social behaviour in the area of Bell Lane.

“In the meantime the Safer Neighbourhood Team, in partnership with our local partner agencies, is continuing to work hard to address the issue of anti social behaviour in the area.”