Clampdown on yob behaviour sees dispersal order issued in town |
It comes after a young woman was arrested and a gang caused anti-social behaviour (ASB) in Lowestoft town centre.
The dispersal order has been introduced for the first time, less than three weeks after a new Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) covering Lowestoft town centre and surrounding areas was introduced.
It was brought in to help reduce current patterns of anti-social behaviour in the town as police and East Suffolk Council vowed to deal with yobbish behaviour "quickly and effectively".
It is part of a new clampdown that now sees mask-wearing gangs, people who spit and urinate in public, e-scooters and electric bikes being ridden dangerously and intimidating behaviour from groups all banned in parts of the town.
If people are caught wearing face coverings, urinating or riding e-scooters and bikes in an anti-social manner they could face £100 fixed penalty notices.
Suffolk Police said the order now applies to Lowestoft town centre and the northern part of the Kirkley Ward until 9am on Wednesday.
The order means that officers will be able to move people on if they feel they are causing harassment, alarm or distress to locals or if they're committing crime or disorder.
A two-day dispersal order is in place in Lowestoft. Image: Lowestoft Police Facebook (Image: Lowestoft Police Facebook)
Suffolk Constabulary said the order has been put in place in response to the arrest of a young woman on Sunday night for a public order offence and for breaching a community protection notice, as well as reports of a group causing anti-social behaviour in Lowestoft town centre on Monday morning.
Sgt Richard Bemment said: "As of 8.58am this morning, there is a dispersal order in place valid for 48 hours in Lowestoft town centre and the northern part of the Kirkley ward following reports of continued reports of anti-social behaviour.
"Anti social behaviour will not be tolerated in our communities.
"Suffolk Constabulary are committed to making the county a safe place to live, work, visit and travel through."