An overnight crackdown on anti-social behaviour in Sidmouth proved successful after youths were banned from hanging around the town centre.
In mid-March the town was slapped with a Section 35 dispersal order, resulting in large swathes of Sidmouth being out-of-bounds to mob behaviour amid a tip-off, ‘following information about a planned large-scale gathering of young people’.
The clampdown was not a curb on kids, police said, but a crackdown on anti-social behaviour.
Police stepped up patrols and officers received ‘numerous’ reports of groups of youths in Sidmouth, but saw no evidence of anti-social behaviour.
The force said ‘a large amount of litter’ was discovered in a field overlooking the town.
The dispersal order, which included large swathes of Sidmouth and the town centre, gave police extra powers in a bid to tackle anti-social behaviour, stop any trouble, and protect the public.
A Devon and Cornwall Police spokeswoman said: “A dispersal order was put in place following information about a planned large-scale gathering of young people in Sidmouth on 21 March and potential for antisocial behaviour.
“The Section 35 dispersal order covered a designated town centre area between 3pm on 21 March to 7am on 22 March.
“The Section 35 and increased visible patrols by the neighbourhood team throughout the order period was sufficient to discourage any antisocial behaviour.
“Officers received numerous reports of gatherings in various locations throughout the town but thankfully there were no instances of disorder and all youths engaged well with police.
“However, we did receive complaints from residents concerning a large amount of litter left in a field in the Salcombe Hill area.”
The force spokeswoman added: “Dispersal orders are not used lightly and are not a blanket power to disperse and target all children. The powers are only used proportionately to deal with those intent on causing disorder and disruption to the local community.”
Large gatherings of people were banned from a swathe of the town amid a tip-off to police youths were heading for Sidmouth.
Image: D&C Police.
The dispersal powers allowed police to use ‘robust action’ and make arrests, ordering individuals or groups to immediately leave the area, restricting their return. Unruly under-16s could be returned home to their parents.
East Devon police denied the move to ban large-scale gatherings overnight had been aimed at a specific age group, but was to ‘deal with’ anti-social behaviour.
Taking to social media, they wrote: “For clarification – This is NOT about targeting young people. This dispersal order is in place to deal with antisocial behaviour and disorder following information obtained by police for a planned event.
“We’re all for people getting out and enjoying the sunshine whilst we have it. We are here to ensure that you do so without causing crime and disorder to the local community.”
