New powers for police to tackle problem youths
Last updated at 17:21, Friday, 12 December 2008
BARROW police have been given new powers to deal with gangs of youths thanks to the introduction of South Cumbria’s first dispersal order.
The order is the first of its kind to be introduced in South Cumbria, and will allow police to split up groups who have been causing anti-social behaviour in certain areas of the town.
The area affected is bounded by Devonshire Road, Derbyshire Road, Oxford Street, Hawcoat Lane and Abbey Road and north east of the railway line running between Abbey Road and Devonshire Road.
The order was issued following a number of complaints from residents who have suffered abuse from youths as young as 10.
One resident said: “We have a lot of problems.
“We get stones thrown at our house and at other houses on the street.
“They kick people’s cars and can be in groups as large as 40.
“They hang around from 7pm to 10pm and are very loud and abusive.”
The order gives police the power to tell members of a group to leave the area, to prohibit a person from returning to the area for 24 hours and to return youths under 16 to their homes.
First published at 11:51, Wednesday, 10 December 2008
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk
Earlier this year, I confronted a group of lads playing football on a busy junction outside my elderly parents' home. I was met with the usual, 'I know my rights mantra' until I informed one of their number to expect his backside to be kicked into orbit. No sign of the police, despite repeated (ad nauseum) complaints from other residents. By the way, the parents of these kids are first in line to defend them and dish out verbal abuse to complainants.
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"The order gives police the power to tell members of a group to leave the area, to prohibit a person from returning to the area for 24 hours and to return youths under 16 to their homes."
These kids and their parents must be quaking in their trainers. When was the last time anyone saw a copper on the beat at night in these areas?
Posted by Neil on 15 December 2008 at 12:52