Dispersal order to ward off anti-social behaviour

Essex Police said large groups will be moved on and shopkeepers should think about what they are selling to people

A dispersal order has been put in place to ward off anti-social behaviour in a town during the evening of Halloween.

Essex Police said the order in Canvey Island, Essex, came into effect at 18:50 GMT on Thursday and will be in place until 05:00 on Friday.

It covers areas of the town centre including the paddocks and Lionel Road.

A spokesman for Essex Police, said: "We will have officers across the town and this order gives them the power to disperse any groups behaving anti-socially or disorderly in the town."

Essex Police said the dispersal order is a "preventative measure"

The force has said the order was a "preventative measure" to allow officers to prevent incidents of anti-social behaviour in the town while people enjoy Halloween.

A spokesman for Essex Police said: "We are aware of reports of anti-social behaviour in the town centre, so we are taking proactive steps to make sure the law-abiding majority of the public can enjoy Halloween this evening.

"We want people to enjoy the evening but people congregating in large groups and behaving anti-socially will be moved on."

It also said that shopkeepers should think about what they were selling to people and ensure that products such as fireworks were sold responsibly.

The force has also put a dispersal order in place in Benfleet, Essex, following reports of fireworks being set off irresponsibly.

It said: "We will not tolerate this type of behaviour in the district."

Both orders will end at 05:00 on Friday.