Police in Sussex are taking steps to address growing concerns around anti-social behaviour and disorder in the Gibbon Road area of Newhaven. Officers are maintaining an increased and high-visibility presence in the area to identify and deter any criminal behaviour, minimising disruption to the community and helping to keep people safe.
One of the policing powers being used to help prevent this anti-social behaviour is a Section 34 Dispersal Order. This order, granted under section 34 of the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, gives officers the power to disperse anyone for the purpose of reducing the likelihood of members of the public in the locality being harassed, alarmed, distressed or the occurrence of crime and disorder.
The order was in place for 48 hours from 5pm on Saturday 8 July covering the Gibbon Road area, north to the A259 and west to Upper Valley Road.
A Sussex Police spokesperson commented: “We encourage the public to report any incidents to us so we can respond effectively. Any reports of crime can be made online or by calling 101 – always dial 999 in an emergency.”
Sussex News has been repeatedly contacted in the last few days by readers telling us that a police presence has been sporadically seen in the area since Saturday. A Section 34 Dispersal Order is a power available to the police under Section 34 of the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.
It provides that a police officer of at least the rank of inspector may authorise, in writing and giving their reasons, the use of dispersal powers. The dispersal power can only be used where an officer of at least the rank of inspector has authorised its use in a specified locality. The authorisation can last a maximum of 48 hours.
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