Police issue dispersal orders for Halloween

Police said the orders allowed them to disperse people suspected of causing anti-social behaviour

Police have been granted additional powers to prevent anti-social behaviour on Halloween.

Essex Police has issued dispersal orders for Witham, the Thurrock borough, a part of Benfleet and a part of Canvey Island.

Insp David Thompson said: "We want to make sure everyone can have a fun and safe weekend without anti-social behaviour."

Dispersal orders give officers the legal power to order people to leave a certain area if they suspect they are causing distress or alarm to the public.

The order in Witham covers the entire town, in place from midday on Friday until 06:00 GMT on Sunday.

The measures for Thurrock are effective from midday on Friday until 10:00 on Sunday.

In Benfleet, the order covers Woodside Park and nearby roads, and the measures for Canvey cover Thelma Avenue and nearby streets.

Those orders are in place for 24 hours from Friday at 15:00.