6th Ealing Disperal Order for Acton Announced

High Street and surrounding area targeted

The local Police and Local Authority have agreed that there are grounds to believe that members of the public have been intimidated, harassed, alarmed or distressed as a result of the presence or behaviour of two or more people and that anti-social behaviour is a significant and persistent problem in the South Acton area.

The following streets are included in the zone:

The High Street Acton from the junction of Gunnersbury Lane to the junction of Church Road. Church Road from the junction with High Street to the junction with Avenue Road, including Ragley Close. Avenue Road from the junction with Church Road to the junction with Langley Drive, including Belgrave Close and Clandon Close. Mill Hill Road from the junction of Langford Close through to and including Mill Hill Terrace and Mill Hill Grove. Woodland Avenue, Woodland Park, Mount Place, Billington Mews, Crown Street, Langley Drive, Cheltenham Place and Edgecote Close. Also to include all communal stairwells and staircases with-in residential blocks in the zone and all paths, alleys, grassed areas, service roads and ramps.

Ian Jenkins, Met Police Superintendent, with the consent of the London Borough of Ealing authorised uniformed Constables and Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) to disperse groups as defined under Part 4 of the Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003 from the above area during the relevant period detailed below:

Relevant Period

From 00:01am hrs on 1st August

To 11:59pm 31st January 2009

During the times and dates specified above a Constable / PCSO may tell people in a group to leave the area (either immediately or at a stated time); 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;

Anyone under 16 is not allowed to be in the dispersal zone between the hours of 9pm and 6am unless under the effective control of a parent or responsible person over the age of 18. Otherwise, they may be removed to their home or place of safety if more appropriate.

TAKE NOTE:

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.

A notice will be displayed in the affected area announcing the end of the authority when it no longer applies. For further information, contact Ealing Police Station on 020-8246 1212.

Community and Partnership Superintendent Ian Jenkins of Ealing Borough Police said:

“We believe the introduction of the dispersal order in this area will help achieve a sustained reduction of crime and disorder in the area and send a clear message to those involved in anti social behaviour that it will not be tolerated.

It will also ensure that the area and surrounding streets remains a safe environment for those residents and members of the public, who live near, work and visit their local amenities now and in the future.

Any individuals, irrespective of their age, seen to be acting in an anti social manner will be dealt with appropriately.

It is important that people witnessing any anti-social behaviour in the area report it to the police immediately so the appropriate action can be taken against offenders.”

Councillor Vlod Barchuk, Cabinet Member for Safer Communities, said:

“It is important that we continue to send a clear and sustained message that anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated in Ealing. Dispersal orders have already proved to be a vital and effective tool in trying to tackle crime and disruptive behaviour in other parts of the borough.

"Every Ealing resident has the right to feel safe and not be a victim of anti social behaviour. The introduction of the dispersal zone in South Acton will allow the Safer Ealing Partnership to work closely with residents, helping them feel safer in their homes and neighbourhood.”

ASB is a priority of the safer neighbourhood team and the implementation of this dispersal order has the full support of the local residents, community and business groups.

Intelligence reports collated by the police and council, specify that there is a significant problem with groups of youths, gathering in this area some of which are actively or suspected as being involved in Antisocial Behaviour, such as noise nuisance, street drinking, drugs activity, violent behaviour, street crime and who engage in threatening behaviour, intimidation, verbal abuse intimidation and harassment of the public, local residents and proprietors.

The majority of individuals responsible for instigating and committing these offences in and around the area have no affiliation with the area.

The intelligence gathered comes from a variety of sources such as, local residents, local businesses, Ealing Broadway Safer Neighbourhood Team, Neighbourhood Watch Association and Ealing Council.

The Dispersal Order is the 5th Dispersal Zone the partnership has introduced across the borough this financial year (Apr 08 – Mar 09).

At present there are now (6) dispersal orders currently running on Ealing Borough:

• Savoy Circus A40 and surrounding area 24th Mar – 23 Sept 08
• The Green, Southall 3rd Apr – 2nd Oct 08
• The Golf Link Estate 30th May – 29th Nov 08
• Greenford Broadway 13th June – 12th Dec 08
• Ealing Broadway 25th June – 24th Oct 08
• Acton 1st June – 31st Jan 09

August 15, 2008