01/10/2008 : New dispersal order for dollis hill ward

Following the introduction of a new dispersal zone in the Dollis Hill Ward, groups of individuals causing anti-social behaviour can now be dispersed by police constables and police community support officers (PCSO).

The dispersal order covers part of the North Circular Road (A406), Coles Green Road, Crest Road, Heather Road, Selsdon Road, Warren Road, Dawpool Road, Review Road, Brook Road, Shepherds Walk, Field Close, Ballards Road, Tadworth Road, Apsley Way, Waterloo Road and Streaks Field Road. (Please see attached map).

The dispersal will be introduced by Brent Police, Brent Council and Brent Housing Partnership (BHP) at 12:00hrs on 1st October 2008 and will run until 12:00hrs on 7th January 2009.

Police, council and BHP have received over 80 complaints over the last six months from residents highlighting problems of:

• Individuals acting in an aggressive, intimidating and threatening manner
• Individuals using drugs in Shepherds Walk and Fields Close;
• Individuals congregating causing alarm and distress;
• Criminal Damage/Graffiti;
• Vehicle related nuisance;
• Harassing local business owners by throwing stones/bricks at them.

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 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 in the area to encourage victims and witnesses to report anti-social behaviour.

The police and members of the Anti-Social Behaviour Team will be monitor how successful the zone is proving and will hold a residents meeting to review the dispersal, one month before it expires.

Sergeant Ed White, Dollis Hill Safer Neighbourhoods Team said: "We are responding to concerns of residents in the area and are working with the council to resolve these issues. We hope that this dispersal order gives us the means to improve the quality of life for the local community.

"To ensure we police this order as effectively as possible, I ask residents to continue to notify us of any anti-social activity taking place in the area. Please contact us on 020 8721 2963, we work on a shift pattern so if we do not answer, leave us a message and we will get back to you. Alternatively you can email us at DollisHill.snt@met.police.uk, any information received will be kept in confidence. If you need immediate police response in an emergency, dial 999."

Councillor Hayley Matthews, Lead member for community safety said: "This type of action is driven by the local community and is a direct response to concerns raised by residents and businesses. The idea is to put in place controls that allow the police to intervene where instances of anti social behaviour within a particular area. This approach has been very successful in the past and I hope it will have a positive effect on the area and change behaviour for the better over the long term."

BHP's managing director Helen Evans said: "We do all that is in our power to ensure BHP residents live in a peaceful and safe environment. This can include working with other agencies to find the best possible solutions to tackle ASB. Much thought and consideration has gone into issuing this order and we will be monitoring its effects closely to ensure there is no displacement of anti-social behaviour into surrounding areas. We believe this order is the right course of action to secure a better living environment for all residents in the Dollis Hill ward ."