POLICE have introduced a dispersal order to a village in a bid to tackle anti-social behaviour.

Suffolk Police are hoping to fight anti-social behaviour and disorder in Bures after issuing the dispersal order as a supportive measure.

The order is in place until 2pm today, Thursday, July 21.

The order was imposed under Section 35 of the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 to tackle ongoing issues of antisocial and disruptive public disorder in the village.

The order covers parts of both Bures Hamlet in Essex and Bures St Mary in Suffolk.

Police say they will be conducting patrols of the area to minimise the likelihood of any further crime or disorder.

The order gives uniformed officers the authority to disperse individuals or groups where their presence or behaviour has resulted, or is likely to result in, a member of the public being harassed, intimidated, alarmed or distressed.

“The individuals can be excluded from a specified area for up to 48 hours and if they refuse to follow the officer’s directions to disperse they will be committing an offence, punishable by up to six months imprisonment and/ or a fine of up to £5,000.

“Officers will also continue to work with partner agencies to resolve any issues and provide support that will reduce incidents of antisocial behaviour.

Inspector Stuart Manels said: "We imposed this order in response to some anti-social behaviour in the area.

“This gives officers extra powers when it comes to dealing with anti-social behaviour and we are focussing additional resources on tackling issues in this area.

"We hope that residents, parents and businesses will support our efforts to make it a pleasant place for everyone. This measure gives us more options, alongside our powers of arrest, when dealing with those causing problems."