A 48-hour dispersal order has been put in place in Stockton to help prevent anti-social behaviour, as concerns grow ahead of the biggest festival the town sees all year gets underway.

The Stockton International Riverside Festival runs from Thursday, August 3 to Sunday, August 6, and the police are taking precautions to ensure any issues are dealt with promptly.

This includes the 48-hour dispersal order and an increased number of police officers in the area.

The order gives cops the power to disperse people from a specified zone immediately for a period of 48 hours, and those who are in breach of the order can be arrested.

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The order covers areas within the following roads: 

  • Riverside Road
  • Maritime Road
  • Allison Street
  • Victoria Street
  • Nelson Terrace
  • Price Regent Street
  • Yarm Lane
  • Bowesfield Lane
  • Parliament Street.

Read more: Where to park at Stockton International Riverside Festival

The order is in place from 3 pm today (August 3), and will remain so until 7 am on Saturday, August 5.

Inspector Mitch Baldwin from the Stockton Neighbourhood Police Team said: “We want everyone to enjoy the festival safely and these orders allow us to deal with anti-social behaviour efficiently.

“Officers will be patrolling key areas in and around Stockton town centre and I would urge anyone to come and speak to them if they have any concerns or issues.”

Anyone with information about anti-social behaviour in their area is urged to contact Cleveland Police through our website or by calling 101.