Congleton police impose Dispersal Order following serious assault in the town

Police in Congleton have imposed a Dispersal Order on the town centre following last weekend’s serious assault.

The Dispersal Order has been implemented under the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003. It will be in place from 4pm on Friday 18 February and will last for 48 hours.

The Order provides the police with the extra powers to break up groups of two or more people, where they believe their behaviour is causing a nuisance, harassment or distress. The police can move individuals out of the specified area and stop them from returning for up to 24 hours.

If you are aged under 16 and in the dispersal area without the supervision of an adult, the police may take you home if it is appropriate to do so.

Inspector Jim Adams said:

“There has been an increase in reports of groups of young people causing antisocial behaviour in the town. This is having a detrimental impact on residents and those working there.

“We understand everyone, young or old, likes to meet up and have fun with their mates - but this is not fun - this is in some cases a criminal act and we are taking a zero tolerance approach.

“We have been working to tackle the issue over the past few months, but this serious assault over the weekend has led us to impose the Dispersal Order to directly target those who are causing trouble in the town.

"If you are ordered to leave and come back into the areas marked on the map, you are likely to be arrested - you have been warned.”

Map of the dispersal zone: