Last updated 19:49, Thursday, 09 October 2008

A FURTHER three-month dispersal order has been introduced in Cockermouth town centre as the fight continues against crime and disorder.

Police have teamed up with Allerdale council to extend the order after the success of its original three-month run which began in June, and which has seen crime fall in the area.

The order will give police extra powers to tackle anti-social behaviour in the town centre.

The areas within the boundaries of the dispersal order include Low Road at the junction with Derwent Street, Wakefield Road, Memorial Gardens, Sullart Street as far as the junction with South Street, South Street, Cocker Lane, Kirkgate, Market Place, Castlegate to the junction with Brewery Lane, Brewery Lane to the boundary with the River Derwent and Bitterbeck, Riverside and Sainsbury’s car parks.

Inspector Martin Connolly, of Cockermouth Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “It has been necessary to re-implement a dispersal order for Cockermouth as youth disorder reduces the quality of life for many local residents and business owners.

“The dispersal order will give our officers increased powers to prevent problems before they start. The area covered by the order is smaller on this occasion and confined more or less to the town centre.

“This is not a curfew and it does not prevent young people from coming into the town centre; it is merely to prevent the congregation of disord-erly groups.

“The message is simple: show respect for the neighbourhood, for the people and property.”

Businesses have welcomed the continuation of the order.

Darren Williams, 42, manager of the Brown Cow on Main Street, said: “It is a good idea and I am pleased to see it going on.”

Michael Cleeland, manager of Leslie Cleeland Ltd on Main Street, said: “It’s good to have this kind of thing in the town. The problem seems to be kids usually on a night time.”

Phil Crossman, owner of Meglans on Station Street said: “Hopefully, it will keep crime down.”

Keith Irving, 60, of St Helens Street, said: “It is an excellent idea as we do get a lot of young people congregating late at night.”

Ken Summers, 46, of Kirkgate, said: “If kids are being rowdy then they should be broken up but if they are just hanging around then I don’t think there is a problem.

“The problem is how loud they are and the language they use.”

The order will begin today and last until January 10, 2009.

If individuals refuse to follow the direction to disperse they will be committing an offence that could result in a fine of up to £2,500 or three months imprisonment.

Young people under 16 who breach the order will be taken home by officers, parents will be spoken to and a referral made to Children’s Services.