A DISPERSAL order has been reintroduced on a Teesside hot spot.
For the second time, Cleveland Police have introduced the order, to tackle anti-social behaviour and criminal damage, on the Westfield Estate, in Loftus, east Cleveland.
The order will cover the area north of the A174, from St Hilda's Terrace, across to Springhead Terrace, along Water Lane to the railway bridge, and then along Co-operative Terrace, back to St Hilda's Terrace.
Under new powers, police and police community support officers can order groups of two or more people to leave the area and not return within 24 hours, if officers think they will intimidate, harass, alarm or distress members of the public.
Local people asked the police to reintroduce the order after an increase in criminal damage.
Inspector Kevin Scott, commenting on th order, said: "Over the past few months, there has been a significant increase in police presence and activity in the area, and this is another tactic to support the ongoing effort to deal with problems on the estate."
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