A SIX month dispersal order has been granted for the Chells and Manor area in Stevenage. The order, which is in place under the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003, came into force today (Wednesday) to tackle problem behaviour and nuisance youths in the area.

A SIX month dispersal order has been granted for the Chells and Manor area in Stevenage.

The order, which is in place under the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003, came into force today (Wednesday) to tackle problem behaviour and nuisance youths in the area.

It gives powers to police officers and police community support officers, allowing them to disperse groups of two or more people that are causing or are likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress to members of the public.

Police can ask members of the public or those in a group to leave the relevant locality and not return within 24 hours. Failure to comply with such a direction can result in arrest.

Sergeant Ian Blundell from the Stevenage Neighbourhood Policing Team said: "Anti-social behaviour has been an issue in Chells and Manor recently which has prompted us to pursue this dispersal order.

"We are aware of the negative impact that anti-social behaviour can have on a community and will do all in our power to tackle it, including the implementation of a section 30 dispersal order which is a proven tool to deal with these issues.

"I am confident that this will improve the quality of life for those people living and working in the area."

The dispersal order covers these roads:

* Mobbsbury Way, between junctions with Frobisher Drive and Chells Way and service road from Mobbsbury Way including parking area from service road.

* Chells Way, between junction with Newton Road and Ferrier Road

* Ferrier Road

* Siddons Road

* Bronte Paths

* Austen Paths

* Eliot Road

* Anderson Road

* Bernhardt Crescent

* Beale Close