Yobs have targeted and damaged businesses
Rochdale town centre(Image: Manchester Evening News)
A hard-hitting ‘dispersal order’ has been issued by police covering a town centre in Greater Manchester after disorder involving groups of youths.
The order in Rochdale covers the entirety of the town centre and will remain in force for 48 hours, Greater Manchester Police said on Thursday. The force said it would ‘enhance’ its ‘ability to tackle anti-social behaviour’.
Yobs are said to have harassed staff and caused damage at a number of businesses in the town centre. Police said ‘several’ reports have been received and were being investigated.
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A section 34 dispersal order gives officers the power to exclude a person, or people, from a defined area for up to 48 hours through written notice.
In a statement, GMP said: “Officers in Rochdale have put a 48-hour dispersal order in place to enhance their ability to tackle anti-social behaviour. Rochdale town centre has seen several recent reports of ASB, and officers are proactively working to tackle issues in the area.
The area covered(Image: GMP)
“Officers have implemented a 48-hour dispersal order across Rochdale Town Centre following recent incidents of anti-social behaviour. This includes incidents yesterday where groups of young people were reported to be harassing staff and causing criminal damage at a business and in the centre. The aim of the notice is to minimise behaviour contributing to, or likely to contribute to anti-social behaviour or crime or disorder in the area.”
The order came into force on Thursday morning and will run until 11.30am on Saturday.
Inspector Meena Yasin, from GMP’s Rochdale district, said: “We have implemented this order to provide further powers for officers in the area to robustly deal with anti-social behaviour, and to protect people and businesses.
“We will not tolerate anti-social behaviour and where this is reported, we will look to take the strongest action – whether through proactive action or preventative problem-solving work.
“These powers are in place for the next 48-hours, and officers will be patrolling the town centre to ensure everyone has a safe and enjoyable Bank Holiday weekend.”
