Southampton police issue dispersal order after street fighting

Officers have been authorised to use special powers this weekend after the fights, and reported drunken misbehaviour, last night (February 24).

The dispersal order, which stretches from the docks to past Jury's Inn, means they can tell people to leave the area, and prosecute those who refuse.

"Last night, we received several reports of people fighting and a large number of intoxicated people leaving venues and causing antisocial behaviour issues in the street," said Southampton Cops on Facebook.

The order started at 3.06am today (25 February) and runs into this evening.

The dispersal order

Another order starts at 7pm tonight and runs until 7am on Sunday morning (February 27).

Southampton Cops also gave an example of the drunken behaviour.

A spokesperson said: "At around 3am this morning officers Section 35 order on an 18-year-old man who was using abusive and offensive language while arguing with door-staff outside a nightclub in London Road.

"This ordered the man to leave the city centre quietly on his own via a taxi by 3.45am and not return until after 3am on Saturday or he would be arrested.

"He refused to leave, so officers arrested him for failing to comply with the Section 35 order and being drunk and disorderly in a public place.

"He was taken into custody where he was dealt with by way of a community resolution with advice being given to him around his behaviour."

Residents are encouraged to tell officers of any suspicious behaviour so they can use the powers available to them.

They can also call 101 or report online, using 999 in an emergency.