End to anti-social behaviour in Ealing Broadway?

Under 16s can be sent home after 9 pm

Ealing Borough Police and the Local Authority have both agreed that members of the public are currently being intimidated, harassed, alarmed or distressed as a result of the presence or behaviour of groups in Ealing Broadway.

To gain the dispersal order, the partnership of police and council had to show sufficient evidence/intelligence of persistent anti-social behaviour. The council and the police were also required to be in agreement for this dispersal order to be introduced.  

Anti Social Behaviour incidents have risen over the last few years in the area. Recently these incidents have increased where groups numbering up to 80 youths have been known to obstruct pavements and be abusive to members of the public in the area.

Partnership intelligence reports also contain evidence that there is a significant problem with groups of youths gathering in this area who are involved in drugs activity, selling stolen goods, fighting, underage drinking, and graffiti being committed in the area.        

To combat this they will be enforcing a dispersal order in the affected area for six months beginning 17th December 2004.

The affected area run from:

The New Broadway W5, East on to The Broadway W5, East on to The Mall W5 to the j/w Windsor Road W5, South to the j/w Grange Road W5, West to the j/w The Green W5, North to the j/w Mattock Lane W5, West to the j/w Barnes Pikle W5 North to the New Broadway W5, this is also to include the green area which is at the j/w Mattock Lane W5 and The Green W5.

As a result, a Constable or PCSO may give one or more of the following directions:

• Tell people in the group to leave the area

• Tell people who don't live in the area to leave  

• Tell people who don't live in the area not to return to the area or any part of it for such period (not exceeding 24 hours) from when the direction was given

If you are under 16 you are not allowed to be here between the hours of 9pm and 6am unless you are under the effective control of a parent or responsible person over the age of 18. You may be returned to your home or place of safety if more appropriate.

To remain or return to this area having been told to leave is an offence under Section 32 of the Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003, punishable by 3 months imprisonment and / or a fine not exceeding £2500.

Superintendent Joe Wadsworth Community and Partnership Ealing Borough Police says:

�This is yet another fine example of the committed partnership approach Ealing Borough Police and Ealing Council has adopted to maintain an appropriate and targeted response to crime and anti-social behaviour issues on Ealing Borough...The introduction of these new powers will send a clear message to those involved in anti social behaviour that it will not be tolerated. We believe this dispersal order will further enhance the community's quality of life and help achieve a sustained reduction of crime and disorder in the area." 

Natalie Pace, Ealing Council's Anti-social Behaviour Co-ordinator

"This dispersal order is aimed at reducing the problem of groups intimidating residents and passers-by in Ealing Broadway.   We will continue to work closely with the police to ensure Ealing Broadway is a safe and pleasant environment for its occupants."

December 14, 2004