Dispersal Orders

Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003-S 30 Dispersal Order

4th Renewal of Order for Exmouth town centre

The Police have consulted with East Devon District Council and currently there is one dispersal order in place under the above act which covers the town centre of Exmouth.

The Order is currently effective from 12.00 midnight 28 April 2007 to 11.59pm on 27 October 2007.

PDF file Map of area covered by this Dispersal Order (328KB - 21 September 2007 - PDF Help)

s.30 Dispersal Order

A dispersal order applies where a police officer of at least Superintendent rank has reasonable grounds for believing:

  • That any members of the public have been intimidated, harassed, alarmed or distressed as a result of the presence or behaviour of a group of two or more persons in a public place in any locality in his police area, and
  • That anti-social behaviour is a significant and persistent problem in the relevant locality

An order will give a police constable the following powers:

  • Disperse a group of two or more persons for a period of up to 24 hours from the dispersal area, and
  • Between the hours of 9pm and 6am return young persons under the age of 16 (not in the charge of an adult) to their home address.

When an order is made it must be publicized by:

  • Publishing an authorization notice in a newspaper circulating in the relevant locality and/or
  • Posting an authorization notice in a conspicuous place or places in the relevant locality

The authorisation notice must state:

  • That the authorization has been given
  • Specify the relevant locality
  • Specify the period (these orders may last for up to six months but may be reapplied for)

The local authority must agree to the order being made and the local authority for the purposes of the Act is the district council. The local authority must also be consulted when it is proposed to renew or withdraw the authorisation.

Page last updated on 21 September 2007