Press Release

Blackstock Road now has a ‘Dispersal Order’ in place, which could affect you…

March 2008

A Dispersal Order gives the police powers to move people on or split up groups on the street, as well as take young people to their home or a safe place if they’re out after 9pm. They can also ask people who don’t live in Blackstock Road to leave the area.

You may notice that there are more police officers in the area whilst this order is in place. Don’t be worried about asking them to explain the laws to do with the Dispersal Orders and how they affect you, but you can also check out the FAQs below.

Why have a dispersal order?
The council and the police have decided to make the Blackstock Road environs a dispersal order area because so many people in the area have told us that they have been disturbed and harassed by the criminal, anti-social and intimidating behaviour of some individuals who have been frequenting the area. We hope that it will make Blackstock Road a better and safer place to live and work for everyone.

Does the order mean that I can’t go out?
No. It means that in the area shown on the map below, police officers can move on or split up groups of any two or more people on the streets who are causing, or likely to cause antisocial behaviour. If a police officer thinks that you are causing, or likely to cause antisocial behaviour, then he or she can use this power. People who don’t live in the area can also be asked to leave and not come back to the Blackstock Road dispersal zone for 24 hours.

Will people get arrested if they ignore the police officer?
They may be asked to leave a particular area or not hang about in groups - and if they ignore this, then yes, the police officer can arrest them.

Does the power to move you on just apply at night-time?
No. Groups of two or more people can be split up or moved along at any time whilst the order is in place, if they are causing or likely to cause, antisocial behaviour.

So what’s all this about a curfew then?
Another part of the order says that a police officer can take a young person who is under 16 back to their home or another place of safety. They can do this if the young person is out on the street in the special area shown on the map without a responsible adult after 9pm.

Can a young person be arrested just for being out after 9pm?
No. The power allows the police officer to take them home or to another safe place. This doesn’t mean that they can’t be arrested if they do something wrong though.

Does this mean that a young person can only go out with an adult?
Not necessarily, if you have been to a youth club or other event supervised by an adult and you are behaving, and not causing problems, then you won’t be affected.

Who decides which areas need a dispersal order?
A local senior police officer makes the decision based on what has happened in the past, but the area has to be agreed by the council. They also take in to account the views of local people.

How long does the order last?
This order can last for up to 3 months. A new order can be put in place after it if another application is made, but this is a separate process.
To read what the government rules (or legislation) on antisocial behaviour and dispersal orders say, you can visit: http://www.legislation.hmso.gov.uk/acts/acts2003/30038--e.htm#30