New Leicester dispersal order issued following anti-social behaviour

A third major dispersal order has been issued for parts of Leicester city centre in less than a week. The order for the inner ring road area follows overnight disturbances and gives police the power to remove people from the area.

The Section 34 order has been issued following reports of anti-social behaviour in the early hours of this morning (Friday, November 8) in the Bath Lane area of the city, near Leicester's Highcross. Police said they had been called to multiple reports of loud music, yelling, and fireworks being thrown.

The order will remain in force until 4.38pm today, covering areas within Vaughan Way, St Margarets Way, Tigers Way, Oxford Street, Bath Lane and Highcross Street. Two people have already been issued with notices to leave.

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Leicestershire Police said officers will maintain a presence in the area throughout today and into the evening to monitor behaviour and issue further dispersal notices if needed. The force said they will be reassuring residents and asking people to leave the area if necessary.

Deputy Commander Sergeant Steph Burnham, from the central Leicester Neighbourhood Policing Area, said: "We are working hard to combat this behaviour in our streets. The dispersal order gives officers the power to direct people to leave an area, and failing to do so – without reasonable excuse – is a criminal offence.

"This order runs throughout today and into the afternoon. There will be officers in the area this evening too, talking to those in the street and offering reassurance to those living in the area."

Dispersal orders had previously been issued on Sunday, November 3 and Tuesday, November 5 for parts of Leicester too. These were put in place following reports of anti-social behaviour and fireworks being fired a people.

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