Little Lever dispersal orders response to 'abusive' youths

Twice in the last week, police officers have authorised dispersal orders for the Little Lever area, giving them enhanced powers to order people to leave.

Officers have now said that these were brought in in response to increased reports of anti-social behaviour, particularly around the branch of Tesco, Market Street and The Avenues.

A Greater Manchester Police spokesperson said: “Do you know where your children are? Do you know who they are with and what they are doing?”

They added: “We are receiving increasing reports that youths are being abusive to members of the public and disrupting local businesses.

The orders covered an area around Little Lever (Image: GMP)

“There are also reports of the dangerous and nuisance use of e-scooters and off-road bikes. These are illegal to use on a public road without insurance and a licence, and may be seized under the Road Traffic Act.

“Officers are actively patrolling the area the hotspot areas this evening and will be removing anyone engaging in anti-social behaviour and if necessary referring them to partner agencies for further preventative work.

“Please make sure you are aware of your children's whereabouts, and work with us to reduce the anti-social behaviour reported by residents in Little Lever.”

Extra police powers were brought in (Image: GMP)

The orders were authorised by Inspector Kieron Maddocks and brought in on Friday and Saturday evening this week.

Orders like these give police officers expanded powers, under the terms of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime And Policing Act 2014, to order people to leave the area.

The most recent order in Little Lever was in place between noon and 11pm on Saturday March 23.

While the order was in place shopkeepers in the area spoke to The Bolton News about the problems they had experienced.

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Sanjay Rajmi, who works at the Spar on Market Street, said: "We have kids being a nuisance and who keep coming into the store, and their language is rude.”

He added:  "We have banned a lot of kids from coming in the store, so the ones that come in are okay. 

"Police come once in a while, but they can't do anything to the kids, all they can do is tell them off." 

Earlier this month, a string of similar dispersal orders were authorised in Bolton town centre for four days running.