Police can order people to leave Abbeymead until 2pm on Sunday 15 November, after teenagers on e-scooters set bins alight and aimed fireworks at people.

A police dispersal order covering the whole of Abbeymead, on the eastern side of Gloucester, is in force from 2pm today (Friday 13 November) until 2pm on Sunday 15 November, after two weeks of reports about groups of teenagers on e-scooters and e-bikes.

Overview

  • Where: the whole of Abbeymead, Gloucester. The order does not cover Cheltenham.
  • When: 2pm Friday 13 November to 2pm Sunday 15 November, 48 hours.
  • What it allows: officers can tell anyone whose behaviour is likely to harass, alarm or distress the public to leave the area and stay away until the order ends.
  • Breaking it: anyone who does can be arrested.
  • Reporting: call 101, or 999 if a crime is happening and the people responsible are there or nearby.

Why the order was made

Gloucestershire Constabulary said it had received numerous reports over the last two weeks of large groups of teenagers on e-scooters and e-bikes gathering in Abbeymead.

According to the force, the groups have been intimidating and abusing people, setting fire to bins and aiming fireworks at people and at homes. Residents have also reported teenagers running and cycling out in front of traffic, and shoplifting from local businesses.

Extra patrols will be out across the weekend.

What the order means

It is a Section 34 order. While it lasts, officers can direct anyone whose behaviour is likely to result in members of the public being harassed, alarmed or distressed to leave Abbeymead and not come back until 2pm on Sunday. Any breach can lead to arrest.

The order covers Abbeymead only, not any part of Cheltenham.

What the police said

Inspector James O’Neill, of the Gloucester Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “Over the last two weekends, officers have been dealing with an ongoing issue involving teenagers causing anti-social behaviour in the Abbeymead area.

“We will not tolerate anybody who believes they can create intimidation or fear among any of our communities.

“Officers will deal robustly with anybody caught behaving in this anti-social manner.

“I would urge anybody [who] has any concerns to speak to one of our officers who will be on patrol or to contact us so that we can take action to deal with it.”

How to report anti-social behaviour

Gloucestershire Police asks anyone experiencing anti-social behaviour to call 101. If you can see a crime taking place and the offenders are present or nearby, call 999.

The same numbers apply in Cheltenham. Earlier this month the force ran a police hub on the High Street and taxi checks for the November Meeting.