Dispersal orders deployed in Bransgore and Thorney Hill following ASB

Police in the villages of Bransgore and Thorney Hill, in the New Forest in Hampshire, have now been given the powers to order a person to leave the area and not return until 10.28 on Wednesday, March 8. 

A rise in reports of anti-social behaviour and offending in the area has led to the dispersal order, under Section 34 of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, being implemented. 

Police have also received reports of a series of criminal damages where slingshots have been used to fire ball bearings. 

Read more: Catapult fired during disorder in and around Bransgore Co-op

The area of the dispersal order (Image: Hampshire Constabulary/Google Maps)

The dispersal order gives police officers the power to order a person to leave the area with no return within the specified time period. Those who refuse to comply with the order are committing a criminal offence and are liable for arrest. 

Individuals who are aged under 16 will be taken be to their home address, and follow-up work will be done with parents. 

Inspector Darren Ord, of Hampshire Constabulary, said: “We are aware that there is a great deal of local concern following these incidents, and we want to assure our communities that we will be robust and pro-active in dealing with these issues. 

“We know it is only a small number of people involved in this behaviour, but even so the impacts are far reaching and have a negative impact on the lives of local residents. 

“Our officers will be conducting high-visibility patrols for reassurance as well as disruption. If you have witnessed or been affected by this behaviour please continue to report it to us so we can target our patrols and take further proactive action.” 

Anyone with information about crime or anti-social behaviour is asked to phone 101 or submit information via the police's online reporting tool. 

If a crime is in progress phone 999.