ALTON'S 'group dispersal zone' has been so successful in helping police to deal with anti-social behaviour in the town centre that it is to be extended. As from May 1 Alton has become subject to a second dispersal order, secured under Section 103 of the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003. The new order follows hot on the heels of the original order which was launched in November 2006 and ran to the end of April. As before, it will cover the area bordered by and including: Old Odiham Road, Greenfields Avenue, New Odiham Road, Lenten Street, Ackender Road, Butts Road, Mount Pleasant Road, New Barn Lane, Ashdell Road, Papermill Lane, the train station and car park, Park Close Road, Edward Road, Alton College, Old Odiham Road and the eastern boundary of fields between Beavers Close and Old Odiham Road. In addition, the new order will be extended to take in the area of Southview Rise. Under the act, uniformed officers 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: l Telling people in the group to leave the area. l Telling people who don't live in the area to leave. l Telling people who don't live in the area not to 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. Records show that, since the implementation of the order in Alton, police powers under the order have been successfully used to deal with 135 dispersals. From that only four people have been arrested for breaking the order and returning to the area after being directed to leave. The incidents where powers were needed ranged from group related anti-social behaviour to alcohol-related disorder, underage drinking and smoking and abusive and intimidating behaviour. Police inspector Simon Dodds said: "The legislation has added a further tool for frontline police officers and has been embraced not only by police officers who deal with anti-social problems in the town, but also by police community support officers, and special police constables who assist us extremely effectively on Friday and Saturday nights." Inspector Dodds has listed some of the incidents where the order was successfully used: l November 11, 2006 – a group of people were dispersed from outside Threshers off-licence in Alton High Street. The group had blocked a path, causing an obstruction to members of the public. l December 13, 2006 – officers were asked to attend the Co-op in the High Street after it was reported that a group of youths were playing football on the pavement and were being rowdy. All the youths were warned under the order and were dispersed. l January 12, 2007 – a group of seven youths were gathered in the vicinity of the Londis store in Southview Rise. They were acting in an anti-social manner and were dispersed from the area. l March 10, 2007 – a group of youths were dispersed from outside Alton Community Centre after police received a report of a group of girls causing a nuisance and acting in an anti-social manner. The inspector added: "Despite the positive impact of the order, its continuing use demonstrates the need for a new order particularly with the approaching summer nights which historically attract groups to remain within the town centre area late at night, resulting in subsequent anti- social behaviour." The new order is now in place and will run until Wednesday, October 31. According to Inspector Dodds, the application for this order was firmly supported by Alton Town Council and takes in the Southview Rise area, which was previously on the boundary of the old one. His plea was for members of the public to help make the order work for the community, he said: "I would urge anyone who experiences anti-social behaviour in their neighbourhood to make contact with the police at the earliest opportunity. "With your help, we can work together and make Alton an even safer place to live."
