Meridian Anti-social behaviour

Kent Police officers are to be given more powers to deal with anti-social behaviour linked to the use of motorcycles on the A20 in Wrotham.

A Dispersal Area will operate over a five month period until October.

Kent Police and Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council applied for the order after reports of motorcyclists driving dangerously and risking injury to themselves and other road users.

Under the Act, any group of two or more people found causing or likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress can be dispersed by a uniformed officer. Young people under 16 and not accompanied by a responsible adult between 9pm and 6am can be taken back to their home.

Verwood Police say crime and anti-social behaviour has dropped significantly following a targeted operation.

Dorset Police launched Operation Keeper after a spike in reports of crime in Verwood.

The Police together with East Dorset District Council agreed to the use of dispersal powers under the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003 which allows officers to direct anyone behaving inappropriately from the area.

Police Constable Andy Robertson from Verwood Safer Neighbourhood Team said: "Total recorded crime in Verwood halved from 58 reports in July 23 to 27 in August 2013.

“We also saw a dramatic fall in the number of reported incidents of anti-social behaviour in the hot spot areas of the recreation ground and Potterne Park between July and September."

"The feedback we have received from the public has been excellent."

Police patrols are to be increased in some neighbourhoods in West Oxfordshire to crack down on anti-social behaviour and under-age drinking. Teams will also be carrying out stringent licensing checks at pubs and bars.