A SIX month dispersal order has been granted so police officers and police community support officers (PCSOs) from the Letchworth Neighbourhood Team can tackle anti-social behaviour around the shopping parade in Southfields on the Grange estate.

The order, under the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003, will come into force on Saturday, August 7.

The order gives powers to police officers and PCSOs to disperse groups of two or more persons 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 persons in a group to leave the locality and not return within 24 hours. Failure to comply with such a direction can result in the arrest of that person.

Sgt Steve Oliphant from the Letchworth Neighbourhood Team said: “For a sustained period of time the team have dealt with issues of anti-social behaviour in the shopping parade area.

“Many of the reported incidents mention groups of people congregating around shops with the main issues arising during the warmer weather, school holidays and in particular at weekends.

“It is important we do all we can to ensure law-abiding citizens can go about their daily business unaffected and not feel intimidated.”