Dispersal order to be introduced in Rhyl

POLICE and Denbighshire County Council will introduce new measures to tackle anti-social behavioue in an area of Rhyl.

From Tuesday, September 1, a dispersal order will operate in Morley Road gardens and areas surrounding the railway station. Police say they have the support of locals for the measures.

The order, which is being introduced by North Wales Police in conjunction with Denbighshire County Council, gives police powers to move on groups of people congregating in an area if they suspect possible disorder or harassment.

People who ignore the order, or who return to an area from which they have been dispersed can be arrested and may face three months imprisonment and/or a fine of up to £2,500.

Posters are being put up across the area to highlight the order which will be in place for six months, March 1, 2010.

District Inspector for North Denbighshire Steve Williams said: “North Wales Police are actively working with the local authority to address the growing problem of public drinkers in Rhyl who collect mainly in the Morley Road Memorial gardens and by the Railway arches.

“As a result of this behaviour people feel frightened and discouraged from using these areas because they feel threatened by the actions and behaviour of a few.

"I am confident that the powers the legislation brings, together with a range of other initiatives we are running, will bring an end to a problem that has, for a while, blighted the area."

The affected area includes:

An area of Rhyl bordered on the south by the railway line, on the north by Kinmel Street and Brighton Road, on the east by Grange road and on the west by Elwy Street (west). It includes Morley Road Gardens and car park, Morley Road, South Bath Street, Thorpe Street and the frontage of Rhyl Railway station and also includes Brighton Road and South of Churton Road from its junction with The Grove to Parc Esmor.

As part of the dispersal order officers can give one or more of the following orders:

• Require people in the group to disperse immediately or within a specified time limit.
• Require those people who do not live within the designated locality to leave it immediately or within a specified time limit.
• Give a direction prohibiting any of those people who do not live within the designated locality from returning to it or any part of it for a period of time not exceeding 24 hours.
• Between the hours of 9pm and 6am, remove any person 16 years or under who is not under the effective control of a parent or a responsible person aged 18 years or over, to their place of residence.
• The new act also provides officers with a power of arrest for people who contravene such directions given to them.

Members of the public requiring further information on the dispersal order can contact members of the North Denbighshire Neighbourhood Policing Team on 0845 607 1001 (Welsh line) or 0845 607 1002 (English line).