A dispersal order to tackle anti social behaviour in Eastbourne town centre will be put in place for the second year running. The order, which starts on Friday 24 August and will continue for the next three months, is by Sussex Police and Eastbourne Borough Council.
Sergeant Gareth Evans from Eastbourne Neighbourhood Police Team said: “The order was effective in 2011 with reductions of calls to police of around 50 per cent compared to the same period the previous year. “Although effective the amount of calls to police has risen again and so the dispersal order will be reimplemented as part of a process to tackle anti-social behaviour. This is very much a partnership approach with Eastbourne Borough Council. It gives officers the power to disperse groups of two or more people gathering together who are causing, or are likely to cause anti- social behaviour. This would prevent, for example the street drinkers and groups of youths from congregating in the town centre for up to 24 hours.
“One hundred and ten incidents involving street drinkers were reported to us for the months of May, June and July this year. This is an increase for the same period of 2011.During the dispersal order in 2011, 153 people were dispersed during the period June to August with four people being arrested for breaching this order. “Police received positive feedback from the community that there was a noticeable improvement in the reduction of anti-social behaviour during this period.” Sgt Evans said: We are aware from feedback from the public that the type of anti social behaviour they were most concerned about was street drinking in Eastbourne town centre. Hopefully this action will address some of those concerns. The proposed dispersal area includes: The seafront from The Wish Tower to The Redoubt Fortress including the beach. The town centre, bounded by Devonshire Place, Cavendish Place and as far north as Enys Road. It covers the parks off The Avenue and Gildredge Park.
