Plymouth dispersal order to stop anti-social behaviour

A dispersal order has been launched in areas of Plymouth city centre in a bid to tackle anti-social behaviour, the city council said.

It covers the waterfront, Union Street, Efford Deer Park and for the first time, North Hill and Mutley Plain.

The council said the two areas had been added to the order to tackle concerns raised by residents of alcohol related anti-social behaviour.

The order will run for six months, the council said.

Councillor Glen Jordan said: "The police have asked for these powers as part of a package of measures to deal with anti social behaviour before it escalates."

Dispersal orders allow police to move people from an area when they are deemed to be causing a nuisance.

A survey was conducted in October 2010 in the Mutley and Greenbank area of the city.

The results showed out of 1,000 people asked, 31% had a problem with drunk and rowdy behaviour in the area, the council said.