A crackdown on anti-social behaviour is now in force in East Ham after the police and Newham Council announced a six-month dispersal order.

A crackdown on anti-social behaviour was launched in East Ham this week after the police and Newham Council announced a six-month dispersal order.

The ban, which came into force on Saturday will last until the end of March next year. The aim of the unprecendented move is to deter yobbish behaviour in the area.

The order states a Pc or PCSO may tell people in a group to leave the area either immediately or at a stated time in a stated way.

They may tell people who don’t live in the area to leave either immediately or at a stated time in a stated way.

They may also tell people who don’t live in the area not to return to the area or any part of it for a period of time (not exceeding 24 hours) from when the direction was given.

Following success from other dispersal zones in Newham and requests from both residents and local businesses it was decided to implement one in this area to reduce anti social behaviour. The East Ham dispersal zone is bounded by and includes, Abbot’s Road, Friars Roa, St Bernard’s Road, Stondon Walk and Wakefield Street.

Cllr Unmesh Desai, Newham Council’s executive member for crime and anti-social behaviour, said: “We have listened to residents’ concerns and taken action with the police to stamp out anti-social behaviour.

“Dispersal orders have worked well in other parts of the borough and our street scene enforcement officers will work with the police to ensure that anyone caught flouting the order will be punished. We will not tolerate the lives of our hard-working residents being disrupted by the poor behaviour of an unruly minority.”