Essex Police have put in place dispersal orders in Chelmsford and Colchester this weekend ahead of England’s final game in the World Cup.
The dispersal orders gives police the power to request people causing anti-social behaviour to leave the area, or risk being arrested.
Police have responded to a number of alcohol related disturbances following England games, including reports of people fighting, items being thrown and large groups congregating and acting anti-socially.
The dispersal order for Colchester covers Balkerne Hill, Westway, Cowdray Avenue, A1232, East St, East Hill, Priory St, Queen St, St Botolphs Street and Southway. This order will run from 2:00pm today (Saturday 14th July) until 2:00am the following day.
A dispersal order in Chelmsford will cover the A1060 in the north, the A1099 in the west, Springfield Road in the east and the railway line in New Street in the south, covering most of the city centre including High Street, Duke Street, Bond Street and Moulsham Street and will run from 2:00pm today (Saturday 14th July) until 5:00am the following day.
They have both been made under the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 and gives officers the power to request people causing anti-social behaviour to leave the area.
It is a criminal offence to breach a direction given under the order and in the worst cases this can result in a criminal conviction punishable by up to six months imprisonment or a fine of up to £5,000.