New police powers on troubled estate (From Daily Echo)

New police powers on troubled estate

5:00am Thursday 29th November 2012 in Crime By Wes Rock, Reporter

POLICE will get extra powers in response to a drastic rise in antisocial behaviour on a Winchester estate.

Residents say thuggish behaviour has become much worse and a dispersal order has now been granted allowing police to eject troublemakers from the vicinity of Wavell Way in Stanmore.

The move follows a number of incidents, including an attempted robbery of a convenience store earlier in the month, for which one man has been charged.

Officers received 18 reports of antisocial behaviour in the area in October, and a further 14 reports between November 1 and November 24 – compared to seven reports in September, ten in August and just three in July.

Anyone failing to comply with the order could face up to three months in prison, or a fine of up to £5,000.

It will come into force on Saturday, December 1. The new powers also mean that between 9pm and 6am, anyone under the age of 16 not accompanied by a parent or guardian can be returned home.