Antisocial behaviour rise prompts dispersal order

A 48-hour dispersal order covering part of Telford has been introduced after an increase in antisocial behaviour, police said.

The order started at 19:30 BST in Oakengates on Wednesday and would last until 19:30 on Friday, West Mercia Police said.

It follows several reports of groups of young people causing general disorder in the area on Tuesday and Wednesday.

The order provides extra powers to the police to exclude individuals aged over 10 years old who cause antisocial behaviour.

There were reports on social media of large numbers of youngsters gathering at Oakengates Leisure Centre on Tuesday.

A letter, shown to have been sent by New Road Academy school, said about 200 young people were seen at one point on the sports pitch and the surrounding areas - and that staff and members of the public were verbally abused.

Officers said they would increase their patrols in the area during the order.

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