Police to use dispersal powers to stop anti-social behaviour in Wisbech
Police in Wisbech will be using special powers to prevent disorder during events in the town this week.
Officers have revealed that a dispersal order will be in place for an area of the town centre for three nights this week, while events are taking place at Wisbech Castle.
The move, which will be in force tonight, tomorrow and on Friday, is intended to prevent a repeat of trouble around the castle area in recent days.
Inspector Ian Lombardo, of the Fenland Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “Unfortunately last week saw a group of young people causing anti-social behaviour at the Castle in Wisbech and in the surrounding area.
“This week the Castle is putting on events for the local community to enjoy and I want to make sure that people are encouraged to attend these events and that the public has confidence that anyone who addends with the intention of causing anti-social behaviour will be dealt with quickly and robustly.
“To that effect I have put a dispersal authority in place and have assigned staff specifically to the area during the time of the events.
"A lot of hard work has been put in by local volunteers and my team will make sure that their hard work is supported.”
The order covers an area of the town whose perimeter runs along Hill Street, Little Church Street, Church Terrace, St Peter and St Pauls Church Gardens to Love Lane, Alexandra Road and the B198.
It allows police officers and community support officers to instruct people to leave the area if they have reasonable grounds to believe their behaviour has, or is likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress.
The order covers the period from 6pm to 11.30pm tonight, tomorrow and on Friday, coinciding with Halloween-themed events at the castle.