Police in Ruthin are joining forces with Denbighshire County Council to tackle anti-social behaviour in two car parks within the town.
A dispersal order will come into effect at 6am on Friday, April 1, and will run for six months – until Friday, September 30, 2011.
It is being implemented at the Cae Ddol and Park Road car parks and will give police the power to order groups of two or more who congregate in the car parks 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.
The move is being made following concerns about anti-social behaviour at both car parks which have been a source of complaints from local residents. Youths congregating at all times of the day and night, late night drinking and anti-social driving are just some of the complaints received. Others include loud music, car horns being sounded during the early hours of the morning and large amounts of litter left in the area – some of which has been left in the gardens of homes bordering the car park.
A gate installed some 12 months ago to prevent access to the rear of the car park, has also been damaged preventing the gate from being locked
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 area covered by the dispersal order is defined as Cae Ddol car park from its entrance with Clwyd Street and Park Road car parks, Ruthin.
District Inspector Dewi Roberts said: “The anti social behaviour at this location is unacceptable and we have implemented the dispersal order so that we have additional powers to deal with the individuals causing disruptive behaviour.”
“Local officers will take action against anyone committing offences and I would also ask that the community assist us by reporting such behaviour so we can take action. We are working in partnership with the local community and the local authority to resolve matters.”
Councillor Sharon Frobisher, Cabinet Lead Member for Environment, said: “Anti-social behaviour can affect the quality of life for many people and simply will not be tolerated in our communities. The council and police are working together to address the issues identified in Ruthin and take a dim view of this kind of behaviour by a minority of individuals.
“Listening to the views of local people is extremely important as residents can often illustrate the effects of anti-social behaviour on their local neighbourhoods. We will use the dispersal order powers to ask individuals to leave the area if we believe they are responsible for any incidents of anti-social behaviour and we sincerely hope that this will have a positive impact on the quality of life for local people.”
Police are appealing to anyone who witnesses anti-social behaviour to contact officers immediately at Ruthin 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.
