A dispersal order has been put in place in Romford town centre amidst fears of criminal behaviour today.
Social media speculation of an event in Romford this afternoon (August 16) have led police to act, a Met Police spokesperson said.
Havering MPS said they are working with Havering Council and Romford businesses to prevent any criminal behaviour.
But the spokesperson told the Recorder that local businesses do not need to be alarmed and the dispersal order is a precautionary measure.
The order will be in place for 48 hours and allows police to “instruct individuals to leave the area” and “not return for a designated period”.
Failure to comply can result in an arrest under law.
The spokesperson said: "Anyone who is coming to Romford intent on criminal behaviour can expect to be dealt with by officers."
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Oxford Street: Met Police impose dispersal order
They said the force had concerns of a potential repeat of scenes in Oxford Street where shops were forced to shut and nine arrests were made.
A Section 35 dispersal order will cover the area marked in the map below.
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