A curfew banning under-16s from South Woodham town centre at night will come into force tomorrow.

Police in the town will also be making the most of recently issued Home Office powers with the three-month Dispersal Order, under which people of any age can be ordered home.

The crackdown comes as half-term starts and police try to put a stop to the kind of vandalism seen during the Easter holidays.

Between 9pm and 6am every day, there will be a ban on those under 16 from entering the area inside Scholars Walk, Baron Road, Tutors Way and Inchbonnie Road, unless they are with a responsible adult over the age of 18.

The order also gives police round-the-clock powers to move people of any age on from the same area if they are causing a disturbance.

Inspector Chris White said: "If we think that they are causing intimidation, harassment, alarm or distress, or are likely to, they will be directed to leave.

"We can also say, for example, that they are not allowed back into the area for 24 hours, and could face prosecution if they break that.

"Extra officers will be laid on to enforce the order, which is likely to operate on a 'yellow card' system, whereby those who break the order are warned once before facing prosecution."

Published Thursday May 27, 2004

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