Rowdy youngsters could be banned from Weston-super-Mare town centre as part of a crackdown on anti-social behaviour. Police patrols are being increased as reports of graffiti and underage drinking have risen.
Urgent meetings have been held between police and the council to look at ways to tackle. One option available to police is to issue a Section 35 order on anyone found behaving anti-socially, reports Somerset Live.
The order, part of the Anti Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, allows officers with ‘reasonable grounds’ to issue to dispersal order asking people to leave an area.
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Those issued with the order could also be banned from returning to a designated area for up to 48 hours.
A spokesman for Avon and Somerset Police said: “The Weston-super-Mare town centre neighbourhood team is working with North Somerset Council and relevant agency partners to implement a problem-solving plan following some recent reports of low-level anti-social behaviour involving young people in the town centre.
“Proactive policing measures include targeted patrols and the use of section 35 dispersal orders where appropriate. Officers have also issued words of advice to parents of the young people involved.
“We’d encourage anyone with concerns about anti-social behaviour in their communities to report incidents to police via our website or by calling 101.”
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