New police powers in East London park and town centre after spate of anti-social behaviour

Police have given themselves more powers in an East London town centre and park. It comes after a reported spate in anti-social behaviour in the area.

A dispersal order - which allows police to 'use dispersal powers to exclude individuals from a specified location for a specified period of time' - will be active in Barking until Sunday afternoon (August 18).

The Met's Barking and Dagenham branch said on X: "Due to an increase in ASB in locality specified s34 Dispersal Order authorised until August 18 12.59pm by Inspector Weeden." It added: "Neighbourhood and policing teams will be working to action dispersal over weekend."

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It was authorised by Inspector Weeden at 1pm on Friday, August 16. The College of Policing says that ASB can be personal, nuisance or environmental.

Personal refers to incidents that 'deliberately target an individual or group of people, rather than the community'. This is when an incident 'causes concern or stress and may impact on people's quality of life'. Examples include intimidation and harassment.

Nuisance refers to 'incidents affecting the community, rather than an individual victim'. This is when an act, thing or person 'causes the community trouble, annoyance, inconvenience or suffering'. Examples include drug or substance misuse, vehicle-related nuisance and animal-related problems.

Environment refers to 'incidents where individuals or groups impact their wider surroundings'. It includes 'environmental damage and the misuse of public spaces or buildings'. Examples include, criminal damage or vandalism, such as graffiti or damage to bus shelters, and littering.

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