Police have put a 48-hour dispersal order in place across Lakeside shopping centre and nearby public spaces in Thurrock, giving officers power to order people suspected of anti-social behaviour, or likely to cause it, to leave the area. The order began at 12 noon on Friday 22 May and is due to run until 12 noon on Sunday 24 May.
Inspector Daniel Selby said the move would let officers deal quickly with anyone not behaving and warned that large groups can be loud and disruptive. “We won't allow a minority to spoil the shopping experience for everyone else,” he said.
The order was issued as police moved to head off possible trouble at a site that is expected to be busy over a Bank Holiday weekend, just as half term begins. Selby said the weekend was also expected to be really warm, and that officers had plans in place to help visitors stay safe and enjoy themselves. “We have plans in place to make sure if you're visiting you'll be safe and have a great time,” he said.
Half term often brings larger groups of young people to Lakeside, and Selby said most visitors come to enjoy what the centre has to offer. He said that can sometimes lead to anti-social behaviour, but added: “I'll be clear though – if you come here planning to commit crime, disorder, or anti-social behaviour we will deal with you.”
Failure to comply with a dispersal order is an arrestable offence, which gives the police a sharper tool if people ignore instructions and helps explain why the measure was put in place before the weekend crowd arrived. For shoppers and families heading to the centre, the immediate message is simple: the police want the trip to stay ordinary, and they are prepared to enforce that.
