Police Grant Extra Powers Ahead of Potential Unlicensed Music Event on Woolwich Common
Officers have been given extra powers to deal with the possibility of a potential unlicensed music event on Woolwich Common this evening.
In response to reports of the possibility of this event, police have authorized a Section 35 Dispersal Order covering the area.
This will be in place from 5pm today (Friday, February 16) until 12pm tomorrow (Saturday).
The order grants extra powers to police officers and boundaries of this order are outlined in a map released by Greenwich Police.
Under Section 35 of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, Police Officers and designated Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) in uniform will be able to exclude individuals from the specified area for up to 48 hours.
The S35 dispersal power is to be used by authorities to address anti-social behaviour and criminal activities involving individuals aged 10 or above.
It can be used not just when anti-social behaviour is ongoing or has occurred, but also when there is a likelihood of it occurring.
The officer must “have reasonable grounds to suspect that a person’s behaviour 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”.
The increased police powers aim to pre-emptively address and mitigate potential disturbances related to unlicensed music events in the Woolwich Common area.
A spokesperson for Greenwich Police said: “From 17:00 this afternoon, until 12:00 on Saturday 18th February 2024, a S35 Dispersal Order will cover the Woolwich Common area, authorised by Insp. Engelbrecht due to intelligence there might be an Unlicensed Music Event.
“The map below details the boundaries of this order.
“Section 35 of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 gives a Police Officer and a Police Community Support Officer in uniform the power to exclude a person from an area for a period of up to 48 hours with an Inspector’s authority.
“The S35 dispersal power will be used by Police Officers and designated PCSOs to deal with individuals aged 10 or over engaging in anti-social behaviour or crime and disorder not only when it has occurred or is occurring, but also when it is likely to occur in the locality.
“The officer must have reasonable grounds to suspect that a person’s behaviour 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.
“The Police Officer or PCSO must consider that giving a direction to the person is necessary for the purpose of removing or reducing the likelihood of the above.”
Met officer who sent colleague picture of penis sacked
A Metropolitan Police officer who sent a colleague a picture of a penis has been sacked.
A misconduct hearing was told that as well as sending her the unsolicited photo, PC Rafiqur Rahman had repeatedly touched his colleague’s hair.
PC Rahman was sat in a police car with his female colleague when he lent forward and twisted her hair around his fingers.
The female officer said this touching of her happened around 10 times during the shift in February 2021.
She said this was unwanted attention and was an invasion of her personal space by PC Rahman.
Later, PC Rahman sent a photo of a penis and later asked “do you think it’s big?”
PC Rahman denied both of allegations against him.
He was placed on restricted duties whilst the investigation was ongoing.
But on Monday (February 12, 2024) a misconduct hearing panel found both the allegations proved.
He was subsequently dismissed from the police force.
Ch Supt Simon Crick, responsible for policing in Newham and Waltham Forest, said: “All of my officers are expected to behave with the utmost integrity, both towards the public and towards their colleagues.
“I’m sickened that my officer was assaulted in this way and we are taking steps to ensure her continued welfare.
“Rahman has no place in the Met or policing and has now been rightly dismissed.”
Rahman will be added to the Barred List held by the College of Policing, which prevents employment into police forces.
Weekend Closures: Dartford Crossing Tunnels Shut for Maintenance
Throughout parts of this weekend (February 17 and 18), both the east and west tunnels of the Dartford Crossing will be closed to traffic.
We’ve gathered details on where the closures are, timings, and diversions in place.
From Saturday, February 17, until Monday, February 19, parts of the Dartford Crossing are closed due to maintenance and resurfacing works.
The West Tunnel will be closed to traffic on Saturday night, from 10pm until 5am Sunday morning.
The East Tunnel will be closed to traffic on Sunday night, from 10pm until 5am Monday morning.
The Dartford Crossing is a major road crossing of the River Thames in England, carrying the A282 road between Dartford in Kent in the south and Thurrock in Essex in the north.
Information shared is correct at time of publication, but it could change, especially in poor weather conditions.
The closure times, places and reasons are as follows:
Saturday, February 17 – Sunday, February 18
A282 Northbound
A282 northbound Dartford Crossing West Tunnel 10pm – 5am
Tunnel closure for maintenance works
Diversion via National Highways network
Sunday, February 18 – Monday, February 19
A282 Northbound
A282 northbound Dartford Crossing East Tunnel 10pm – 5am
Tunnel closure for maintenance works
Diversion via National Highways network
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