This aims to limit and reduce the anti-social behaviour within the area.
The zone covers the area indicated in purple on the map.
The Anti-Social behaviour Act (2003) created powers which help both local Councils and the Police to crack down on a variety of anti-social behaviour ranging from noisy neighbours to low-level but persistent criminality such as graffiti.
What is anti-social behaviour?
At the time the Act was passed anti-social behaviour was defined as follows
“anti-social behaviour” means behaviour by a person which causes or is likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress to one or more other persons not of the same household as the personThe Home Office now defines anti-social behaviour as follows
Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003
Anti-social behaviour is any aggressive, intimidating or destructive activity that damages or destroys another person's quality of life.What is a Dispersal Zone?
Home Office website - anti-social behaviour
A Dispersal Zone focuses on the presence or behaviour of groups of two or more persons in public places within a defined area. The aim is to address anti-social behaviour. A Dispersal Zone can be very small or very large but its boundaries have to be defined.
Where and when will the Mile End Dispersal Zone operate?
Every evening between May 24th and September 24th, the Mile End Dispersal Zone will operate south of Mile End Road, north of Bow Common Lane. It covers the area between the Canal and Southern Grove.
The initiative focuses in particular on the Eric Street and Treby Estates area, around Mile End Tube Station and in Mile End Park. It's a response to reported incidents of drinking and antisocial behaviour.
The zone is in operation each evening between 7pm and 4am.
What will happen?
There will an increased police presence including mounted officers and canal patrol boats.
The Police and Community Support Officers operating in the area will have the power to disperse groups of people involved in anti-social behaviour in the Mile End area up until September 24th. The zone may be renewed after that date.
Police will have the power to disperse groups where their presence or behaviour has resulted in, or is likely to result in, other people being harassed, intimidated, alarmed or distressed.Mile End East Safer Neighbourhoods Team (SNT) is responsible for operating this initiativeThe individuals can then be banned from a specific area for up to 24 hours.
Young people under the age of 16 found in the zone after 9pm, who are not with a responsible adult, may be taken home.
Individuals refusing to move on could face a fine of up to £2,500 or imprisonment. Tower Hamlets Council and the police have set up the zone after complaints from residents about “threatening” groups hanging around public spaces in Mile End.
Tower Hamlets Council
“We have consulted with local residents through the ward panel, tenants groups, local councillors, EastendHomes and have had meetings with young people at the local youth centre. All of these groups are in favour of the order. This is one of several initiatives we are carrying out across Mile End to reassure the public and make Mile End a safe place to live and work.”What will MERA be doing?
MERA will be monitoring how effective the Dispersal Zone is in relation to:
- the behaviour of young people congregating in the area in the evening and at night
- the behaviour of adults visiting the area at night
- any potential spillover impact on neighbouring streets which do not fall within the Dispersal Zone
- the impact on reports of anti-social behaviour
Tell us what you've noticed since the Dispersal Zone came into operation.
In the event of an emergency always dial 999
For all other calls to the Metropolitan Police Service please dial 0300 123 1212
Find out more about our SNT click here
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