Police in are continuing to work in partnership with Denbighshire County Council and Conwy County Borough Council to tackle anti-social behaviour with dispersal orders.
From 6am on Sunday, May 1, dispersal orders will again come into effect – one at the Memorial Gardens and the other along the Rhyl prom and will stretch from Splashpoint and all the way along to the Blue Bridge. A separate dispersal order will also come in to place on Sunday, May 1 and will run along the Promenade and Cycle path areas from Pensarn to Kinmel Bay.
The dispersal orders will remain in place for six months in a bid to help tackle anti-social behaviour such as groups congregating to drink at the locations at all hours of the day.
It is not the first time that dispersal orders have been put in place.
Speaking about the Dispersal Order along the promenade, local Inspector Dyfan Jones said: ‘We are very pleased that the dispersal areas have been renewed and extended this year. A great many people are working very hard to improve and regenerate the coastline and I have no doubt that these dispersal areas will assist in that endeavour.
He added: “Drinking in public has an adverse effect not only on visitors’ perception but also on the quality of life of residents. Working closely with our partners in the local authorities I’m confident that we can have a positive impact on the area.”
The Dispersal Order along the prom is defined as being in place from Splashpoint to the east and on the West by the River Clwyd and railway line. It includes the Drift Park, Events Arena, East Parade Bowls, Sun Centre and the Marine Lake. It also includes the beach along the length of the both promenades.
The Dispersal Order in place along the promenade and cycle path areas from Pensarn through to Kinmel Bay includes: The area of Pensarn to include Sea Road, seaward side of the A55 along with the three car parks and the Beach Cycle Path, Train Station and Tennis Court Road. The area of Pensarn to Towyn to include the cycle path and promenade areas and the land between the sea and the rail line. The area of Towyn to include Arnold Gardens, The Promenade, Aled Gardens, Woodside Avenue, Clwyd Gardens, Kinmel Crescent, Trefor Avenue, Kinmel Drive, Rhys Avenue, Dinas Avenue, Glascoed Avenue, The Circle, Langford Drive, Kinmel Close, Foryd Road, St Asaph Avenue (seaward side of the A55), Roland Avenue, Crugan Avenue, Rosemount Avenue, Moelwyn Avenue, Bryn Avenue, Berwyn Crescent, Llys Cynnan, Southlands Road, Aber Clwyd and Hortons Nose Lane – to include all public areas in the roads and greens in Sandy Cove, Asda Car Park and the Sand Dunes in Kinmel Bay.
The Dispersal Order in place around the Memorial Gardens is defined as the area of Rhyl bordered on the south by the railway line, on the north by Kinmel Street and Brighton Road, on the east by Grange Road and on the West by Elwy Street. It includes Morley Road Gardens and car park, Morley Road, South Bath Street, Thorpe Street and the frontage of Rhyl Railway Station.
Both police and the local authority believe that the presence or bad behaviour of two or more individuals has resulted in members of the public being intimidated, harassed, alarmed or distressed.
The orders give police the power to order groups of two or more who congregate in the vicinities outlined to leave the area. It also permits officers to order groups who do not live in the area to leave and not return.
Youngsters under the age of 16 must not be in the vicinity between 9pm and 6am unless they are in the effective control of a parent or responsible adult aged 18 or over.
Failure to comply could lead to up to three months imprisonment and / or a fine of up to £2500.
Concerns about anti-social behaviour and groups congregating to drink at the Memorial gardens and along the prom have been a source of complaints.
Phil Rafferty, Head of Regulatory Services said: “The use of Dispersal Orders within Conwy and Denbighshire has proved to be an effective means of reducing or eliminating anti-social behaviour. Simply by introducing or renewing such orders is not in itself the solution, there is a great deal of hard work involved in making these orders effective, and we are fortunate to have a very good working relationship with our colleagues in North Wales Police, when dealing with such issues. Of course it does not stop there, the support of the Community is essential so that any improvements are maintained in the longer term.”
Anyone who witnesses anti-social behaviour should contact officers immediately at Rhyl Police Station on 101 (if in Wales) 0845 6071001 (Welsh language line) 0845 6071002 (English language line). Individuals can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously with information on 0800 555 111.
