A NEW dispersal order to tackle anti-social behaviour in the city centre will start tomorrow.
The order, which was agreed with Gloucester City Council, will run from tomorrow until to August 21.
The order allows police or Police Community Support Officers to direct any groups of two or more to leave an area for 24 hours when they believe the behaviour of the group is likely to result in members of the public being harassed, alarmed or distressed.
The order covers the area within the boundaries of Clarence Street, The Bus Station, Station Road, Station Approach, Bruton Way, Park Road, Brunswick Road.
Notices and maps of the areas have now been put up across the city to notify people.
PC Mark Mansfield said: "We have been experiencing a few problems with groups of older teenagers and young men, often on bikes, gathering around in the early hours of the morning at the weekend, intimidating members of the public, often women, and antagonising officers while they do their work.
"As they are on bikes they are more difficult to deal with and are causing a real nuisance to officers trying to get on with policing the night time economy and keeping people safe, which is why we want to introduce this dispersal order.
"It covers a smaller area than previous dispersal orders as this issue is very contained and it is essential we are proportionate in how we use it.
"However it will give us a vital tool with which to get on with our job and make sure people out in the city at night don't have to put up with this activity."
