TROUBLEMAKERS will be banned from Pickmere this weekend as police tackle anti-social behaviour in the area.
A dispersal order will be in place from 4pm on Friday, August 5 until 3.59pm on Sunday, August 7.
This comes after the recent heatwave led to a flurry of people travelling to Pickmere Lake, parking along the roads and leaving mounds of rubbish behind.
Pickmere residents said ‘it won’t be long until someone is hurt’ if parking problems and waste – including human excrement and drug paraphernalia - left at the village’s lake aren’t dealt with.
The dispersal order provides the police with the extra powers to remove people where they believe their behaviour is causing a nuisance, harassment or distress.
The police can move individuals out of the specified area and stop them from returning for up to 24 hours.
If a person is aged under 16 and in the dispersal area without the supervision of an adult, the police may take them home if it is appropriate to do so.
If ordered to leave the dispersal order area and then found to have returned in the areas marked on the map, an arrest can take place.
As part of the dispersal order officers are also urging motorists to be courteous following reports of parking issues near to Pickmere lake.
This includes cars parked on yellow lines, vehicles parked on junctions and cars blocking driveways.
Inspector Andy Baker said: “These powers allow us to take stronger action in deterring anti-social behaviour and brings a form of reassurance to residents who live in the community.
“We are listening to resident’s concerns and working with partners to find a long-term solution.
“I would also like to take this opportunity to remind people who plan on attending Pickmere to do so with courtesy and to think about the impact their actions may have on residents who live there.
“We certainly don’t want to stop people from visiting but the actions of some who do attend can involve inconsiderate parking which can also be dangerous if an emergency service needed to get to the area.
“We will continue to patrol the area and issue fines where appropriate.”
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