Action to prevent intimidation by gangs of youths
The centre of Hammersmith has become a dispersal zone.
That means groups of individuals causing anti-social behaviour can now be dispersed by Police Officers and Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs).
On Friday January 22, from 12:01am to Thursday July 22 at 11:59pm, Hammersmith & Fulham Police in partnership with the local council will enforce a Dispersal Order under Part 4, Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003.
The order covers a specific area in Hammersmith: Hammersmith Broadway - including the Hammersmith Broadway Centre and enclosed by the following roads - Hammersmith Broadway (south side), Butterwick (west side), the A4 (north side underneath the flyover) and Queen Caroline Street (eastside).
Police say that groups of individuals causing anti-social behaviour in the areas will be asked to leave and not return for a period of 24 hours. If they return and continue to cause problems, they can be arrested.
Anyone found guilty of contravening a direction under a Dispersal Order can face up to three months imprisonment or a fine of up to £2,500.
Police Officers and PCSOs will regularly police the dispersal areas throughout the period of the dispersal notice. Leaflets will be distributed to residents in the area and a map of the dispersal zone will be displayed to encourage victims and witnesses to report anti-social behaviour.
Sergeant Jane Penney from Hammersmith Hub Team says: " This has been introduced to prevent members of the public including bus station staff from being intimidated by large groups of youths in the bus station and surrounding area and feeling they can no longer use the transport system safely".
January 20, 2010