A DISPERSAL order comes into force today (Thursday) for dual carriageways in Stevenage in an attempt to stop speeding and street racing.

The three month order, authorised by police in partnership with Stevenage Borough Council, has been put in place following reports of illegal street racing and speeding along Gunnels Wood Road, as reported in The Comet earlier this month.

Under the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003, the order gives powers to police officers and police community support officers 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 relevant locality and not return within 24 hours. Failure to comply with such a direction can result in the arrest of that person.

Stevenage chief insp Richard Liversidge said: “We have received more than 18 complaints from members of the public within the last two weeks about the behaviour of this group of individuals.

“Officers have been called to put an end to the racing, which sees cars exceeding the 40mph speed limit.

“We are aware of the impact to local residents and businesses and we are doing our utmost to ensure that the people living and travelling through Stevenage are safe and I hope this dispersal order will reassure our communities that we will do all in our power to put a stop to the illegal racing and put a stop to those who have been involved in disrupting officers in their duties.”

Cllr Richard Henry, executive member for safer and stronger communities, added: “This is a very good example of the council and the police working in partnership to improve public safety and reduce crime in Stevenage.

“This dispersal order demonstrates that we will not tolerate activity that has such a disruptive and detrimental effect on our town and its people.”

The dispersal order covers the following Stevenage roads:

*A602 Broadhall Way, between the junction with A1(M), and the junction with Shephall Way

*Gunnels Wood Road

*Public roads adjoining Gunnels Wood Road, namely: Leyden Road, Norton Green Road, Caxton Way, Bessemer Drive, Argyle Way, Maxwell Road, Whittle Way, Cavendish Road, Babbage Road, Cockerell Close, Meadway, Angotts Mead, Clovelley Way, Bridge Road West, Fairview Road

*Monkswood Way

*Six Hills Way junction with Monkswood Way, to the junction with Gunnels Wood Road

*St Georges Way

*Lytton Way

*Fairlands Way junction with Gunnels Wood Road, to the junction with Lonsdale Road

*High Street

*Martins Way

*Wedgewood Way

*Cartwright Road