FOLLOWING concerns about anti-social behaviour in a shopping precinct, a three-month dispersal order has been granted. The order, which is in place under the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003, covers The Hyde in Stevenage and came into force on Tuesday to tack

FOLLOWING concerns about anti-social behaviour in a shopping precinct, a three-month dispersal order has been granted.

The order, which is in place under the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003, covers The Hyde in Stevenage and came into force on Tuesday to tackle anti-social 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 Jim Moatt, from the Stevenage Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: "We have had a number of reports from residents living in the area about concerns of groups of youths gathering and have dealt with these issues accordingly.

"We realise how much of an impact anti-social behaviour can have on residents and I hope that gaining this order will assist us further in dealing with issues in The Hyde, particularly with Halloween approaching."

The dispersal order encompasses The Hyde shopping precinct. The roads covered are:

- Shephall Way from the junction with Hydean Way to the junction with Featherstone Road.

- Hydean Way from the junction with Shephall Way to the junction with The Hyde.

- Breakspear