Dispersal order in Worthing town centre to tackle antisocial behaviour as police take action

A dispersal order was put in place in Worthing town centre this weekend as part of a police campaign to tackle antisocial behaviour.
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Last week, on Sunday, September 13, the issue flared up in the town centre, with reports of fights, street drinking, and alleged nakedness and simulated sex acts.

Sussex Police said that while it had not received reports from the public regarding the sex acts and nakedness, the force had responded to 'an incident of anti-social behaviour involving the street community on Sunday afternoon' and arrested a man earlier the same day for being drunk and disorderly in the town centre.

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At the time, Adur and Worthing Prevention Inspector Allan Lowe urged the public to report incidents them through 101 or online, adding: “We understand the impact this behaviour can have on the community and local businesses and recognise it is unacceptable."

Around the same time, a video circulated on social media showing a man and a woman, believed to be from the street community, having an argument late at night in Warwick Street and being confronted by an exasperated resident.

In response to these issues, Sussex Police launched Operation Mantle on Saturday (September 19), starting with a 48-hour dispersal order in Worthing town centre - the maximum length of time an order can last - which gave police powers to move people on if they were disrupting the peace.

In a statement on Facebook at around 6.30pm on Saturday, Adur and Worthing Police said: "Many of the street community do not cause problems, however there are some that do and we will continue to target those individuals.

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"We have today issued a further community protection notice against one individual which bans them from certain behaviour and parts of the town centre."

Police have been in Worthing town centrePolice have been in Worthing town centre
Police have been in Worthing town centre

There was a heightened police presence in the town centre over the weekend as a result.

On Sunday evening, the local force gave an update on how the operation was going. It said 'more alcohol had been seized' and another individual was banned from the town centre.

It added: "With nearly 2000 calls a day to Sussex police reporting incidents or asking for help there is always something going on.

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"Today officers dedicated to Operation Mantle came across a domestic assault which resulted in an arrest sadly taking them away from the operation.

"This is just a reality of policing but of course domestic violence is always going to be a priority where positive action is taken to protect the victim.

"We'll be back out on patrol in those hot-spot areas tomorrow."

Chief constable Jo Shiner was off duty and visiting Worthing town centre over the weekend, and praised her colleagues on Twitter.

She said: "A great mix of Adur and Worthing Police prevention officers and PCSOs who were engaging with everyone.

"Very proud of them. Shops and restaurants acting responsibly as well."