Officers responding to recent reports of assault, criminal damage and anti-social behaviour in Shirley have implemented a further dispersal order in the area concerned.

It was effective from 7.15pm yesterday (Wednesday 4 June) and will remain in place until 7.15pm this evening (Thursday 5 June), at which point it will be subject to review and a decision made as to if a further authority is necessary.

The area covered by the order, which is under Section 34 of the Antisocial Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act (2014), includes the roads and locations in the attached map.

It has been authorised to help our officers continue to effectively respond to and tackle any arising ASB issues or criminality, keeping local communities safe in the process.

Officers will continue to be present in the affected areas to enforce the order where considered necessary.

The order gives our officers the power to order a person to leave the areas concerned with no return within the specified time period.

It also gives officers the power to seize anything used in the commission of ASB.

Those who refuse to comply with the order are committing a criminal offence and are liable for arrest.

Individuals who are aged under 16 will be taken be to their home address, and follow-up work will be done with parents.

Southampton Neighbourhood Policing Team Inspector, Andrew Proctor, said: “Unfortunately, we are continuing to see people who appear intent on involving themselves in crime and antisocial behaviour in the Shirley area.

“We completely understand the frustration and upset that this behaviour is causing our local communities. Please be assured that our various teams and officers are working tirelessly to tackle the issues.

“We will not tolerate this behaviour and are determined to put a stop to this and target the individuals involved, as is already being done.

“We are putting these measures in place to help us prevent and address the issues and keep our communities safe, working alongside our partners in the process, including youth workers, safeguarding teams, affected businesses, the local authority, charities and others.

“The tactics we are using are a robust measure and will help us to ensure local people’s lives aren’t disrupted. We can, and will extend the dispersal order this evening if it is still required.

“If you have witnessed or been affected by any of this type of behaviour in the area, please continue to report it to us, so we can further target our patrols and take further proactive action.”

"Aside from the dispersal order, proactive patrols and ongoing engagement with the community, including local businesses, officers also arrested a 14-year-old girl on Tuesday (3 June) on suspicion of assault.

“She has since been released on bail, pending further enquiries.”

Anyone with any information about criminality or ASB in their local area should call 101, or report online via the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary website, always calling 999 in an emergency.

https://www.hampshire.police.uk/tua/tell-us-about/cor/tell-us-about-existing-case-report/