Police enforce dispersal order after ‘ large car meet’ in Harlow
A dispersal order has been put in place in Harlow for at least the third time in seven months following concerns relating to what police described as a ‘large car meet’.
According to Essex Police in the Harlow district, the dispersal order was served following increased activity involving a number of cars creating nuisance and noise pollution. The order appears to apply to all 12 square miles of the large town, from East End down to Jack’s Hatch, across to Harlow Common and up to Temple Fields and back along the railway line following Edinburgh Way and Elizabeth Way.
The late-night disturbances led to complaints of anti-social behaviour and excessive noise levels in the area. The order was issued on Sunday, March 26, covering all of Harlow and was put in force to last between 2.15am and 6am.
Police issued this map of the area affected by the dispersal order
In December, Essex Police put into force a dispersal order following complaints of a large and unruly night-time car meet. According to a bulletin issued on social media more than 100 cars had congregated in The Oaks Retail Park in Howard Way.
Officers said that they had received multiple complaints of noise, anti-social behaviour and anti-social driving. The retail park is home to out-of-town shopping units including Topps Tiles, B&Q, McDonald’s, Home Bargains, The Food Warehouse, Halfords and Carpetright.
Police imposed the disposal order from 9.30pm on Monday night until 6am on Tuesday, Dec 27.
Back in August, officers announced a dispersal order from Saturday night, August 20, until 6am on Sunday, August 21. They took the measure following another large car meet. Police[1] said they had received a number of calls from concerned members of the public during the Saturday evening when around 50 cars converged on around Edinburgh Way. Complaints included incidents of anti-social behaviour and careless driving in the town.
Dispersal orders provide the police with the extra powers to break up groups of two or more people, where they believe their behaviour is causing a nuisance, harassment or distress. Dispersal orders were introduced as part of the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003.
For more stories from where you live, visit InYourArea.[2]
References
- ^ Police (www.essexlive.news)
- ^ InYourArea. (www.inyourarea.co.uk)