Labour tackles anti-social behaviour

Labour-run Lambeth is tackling street drinking, noise offences, intimidation and inappropriate sexual behaviour, following complaints from local people.

People displaying anti-social behaviour within the areas of Streatham, St Leonard’s Churchyard and Streatham Green, could be dispersed by the police or community support officers. They also run the risk of arrest if they breach the conditions of the newly introduced dispersal orders. Within the designated areas the police and police community support officers will have the power to:

• disperse groups where the relevant officer has reasonable grounds for believing that their presence or behaviour has resulted, or is likely to result, in a member of the public from being harassed, intimidated, alarmed or distressed. Individuals can be directed to leave the locality and may be excluded from the area for up to 24 hours.

• A police officer or PCSO has a discretionary power, within a designated area, to return young people under 16 home, if they are out on the streets and not under the control of an adult, after 9pm.

The dispersal area will operate from September 11 2007 until March 11 2008. Labour Cllr Mark Bennett, Cabinet Member for Safer Communities, said: "We've listened to local residents and we want the perpetrators to know that blatant disregard for the well-being of their local community has consequences. This new zone will help us to identify ring leaders and take tough action in dealing with further acts of anti-social behaviour."


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