Torquay Police enforce second Section 35 dispersal order this month
The Section 35 dispersal order was introduced following reports of youth-related antisocial behaviour affecting local businesses, residents and visitors.
Over the weekend, police enforced the second Section 35 dispersal order this month following reports of antisocial behaviour in Torquay.
It was put in place at 3pm on Sunday and remained in force until 3am today (Monday, October 19).
It mainly covered Fleet Street, Fleet Walk, The Strand and the harbourside and was the second dispersal order used in Torquay this month.
The order followed reports of youth-related antisocial behaviour, with concerns that incidents were affecting local businesses, residents and visitors.
Devon & Cornwall Police said officers from the neighbourhood policing team and neighbourhood support team had carried out targeted patrols over the weekend, particularly around Fleet Street, in a bid to tackle the problem.
The increased police presence appeared to initially have a positive impact, with Friday and Saturday passing without significant incidents.
However, officers were called to a group involved in antisocial behaviour on Sunday, prompting the dispersal order.
A local inspector said: “One person was arrested for failing to comply with the order and another was directed to leave the area under the town centre Public Spaces Protection Order.”
An e-bike was also seized and police said their intervention resulted in the group leaving the area.
The inspector said officers are typically seeing an increase in antisocial behaviour during the late afternoon and early evening.
With half-term approaching, police have urged young people to think about their behaviour and not be the reason that a dispersal order gets put in place.
Police have also warned that those who fail to comply with a Section 35 dispersal order could be arrested, as breaching the order is a criminal offence.
The inspector said officers would continue to take action to tackle this issue, adding: “We will continue to deploy resources where and when they are needed to address concerns and reassure the public.”
The force is also working alongside Torbay Council’s antisocial behaviour team to address the ongoing concerns.
Partnership meetings are due to take place this week to discuss the situation and coordinate further action.