People undertaking antisocial behaviour in the area can be moved on by police
The dispersal zone in the King Street/Ravenscourt Park area is proving an effective deterrent to antisocial behaviour and has been extended until the end of the year.
Hammersmith & Fulham Council and police introduced the dispersal zone for three months from July, which means that people undertaking antisocial behaviour in the area can be moved on by police. Section 30 of the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003 provides local authorities and the police to disperse people who are behaving in an anti-social manner.
Cambria Road Dispersal Order has expired and police are evaluating whether this order needs to be continued in this area.
Council Leader, Stephen Burke, said the introduction of the dispersal zone had been helpful in reducing antisocial behaviour in the area.
“Residents have reported that ‘dispersal has led to greater safety at this corner (King St/Ravenscourt Rd) with clearer and cleaner pavements for pedestrians, better sightlines and unexpectedly, much reduced traffic’ (Quote from letter to council from Ravenscourt Action Group).
“That’s not to say that problems in this area have all disappeared. It’s not a problem that will be solved overnight and there is much work to be done, with the council and police both committed to continuing work to make this area safer.”
PC Cassandra Wood from Hammersmith Broadway Safer Neighbourhoods Team said that more than 100 adults had been moved on and 28 warnings given to people if they refused to move on during the three months the order had been in place. No arrests have been made.
“The Hammersmith Broadway Safer Neighbourhoods Team patrols this area regularly and the situation has definitely improved. Our feedback indicates that
98 percent of public fully support Dispersal Zone, along with 100 percent of residents and business owners.”
Complaints of anti social behaviour (ASB) from the local community predominately relate to groups of people congregating on the corner of King Street and Ravenscourt Road, both looking for and being picked up for work. There are also issues involving street drinkers and homeless individuals in the immediate vicinity and surrounding area.
Councillor Burke said the council’s Community Safety Unit, along with the Drugs and Alcohol Action Team (DAAT), the Police and Broadway Project had undertaken work to engage with street drinkers and homeless individuals within the area.
“This helps to link people to services to enable them access to support, training, employment and accommodation.”
October 9, 2005
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