ANTI-SOCIAL behaviour has led to a dispersal order being issued for Newport Town Centre.

Police officer Sgt Radford authorised a Section 35 Dispersal Order yesterday.

It follows the same issued in Sandown earlier this week.

Sgt Radford said last night: You may recall a while ago there were issues in the town and I don’t want that to happen again.

"The order will last for 48 hours. Ask yourself if you know what your son or daughter are doing tonight? Should they breach the dispersal notice they can be arrested."

What is a dispersal order and how does it work?

Section 35 of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 gives police the power to exclude a person from an area for a period of up to 48 hours with an Inspector’s authority.

In addition to the Inspector’s authority the officer must have reasonable grounds to suspect that the behaviour of the person in the locality has contributed to or is likely to contribute to:

* members of the public in the locality being harassed, alarmed or distressed, or

* the occurrence in the locality of crime or disorder, and

* that the PC or PCSO considers that giving a direction to the person is necessary for the purpose of removing or reducing the likelihood of the above

Section 35 dispersal power can be used by police officers and designated PCSOs to deal with individuals aged ten or over engaging in anti-social behaviour or crime and disorder not only when they have occurred or are occurring, but when they are likely to occur and in any locality.

A child aged under 16 can be removed to their home address or a place of safety.

It applies to any behaviour, not just alcohol-related crime and disorder, and does not require the pre-designation of a dispersal zone.