Dispersal order begins in Harold Hill

A dispersal order to stop gangs of youths congregating in a popular Harold Hill shopping area started last night (Sunday).

The order, which covers an area from West Dene Drive to East Drive, and from Kings Lynn Drive to Bridgwater Road, includes the Farnham Road shopping precinct where shops including Sainsbury’s have experienced trouble with youngsters.

Havering Police and Havering Council agreed on the order because there were “grounds to believe that members of the public have been intimidated, harassed, alarmed or distressed as a result of the presence or behaviour of two or more persons and that anti-social behaviour is a significant and persistent problem” in the area.

The order, which began at 11.59pm on Sunday, will last until 12.01am on November 8.

During that time police officers, including police community support officers, will be able to tell groups of people to disperse.

They will also be able to tell people who do not live in the area to leave and to not return for a certain period within 24 hours.

Anyone who does not follow the order could face up to three months in prison or a fine of up to �2,500.