End of gangs ban for town centre

Six people were arrested after refusing to move, three of whom were taken to court and one of whom was slapped with an antisocial behaviour order (ASBO) restricting his movement around town centre shops.

But the powers, introduced to stop teenage gangs hanging round shop entrances and intimidating passers-by, expired last Sunday, September 1.

Hounslow sector inspector Huw Evans hailed the scheme as a success but insisted there would be no let-up in efforts to make the town a safer place.
"The message we're getting from retailers and members of the public is that there's been a reduction in the problem of groups causing threatening and antisocial behaviour," he said.

"We can't legally extend the dispersal zone beyond six months but we're working to identify the small number of persistent offenders and target them individually, giving them ASBOs. We will keep high visibility patrols in the area and also stay in close contact with schools and youth agencies who can pass on information about fights being organised."

Police in Hounslow have used section 60 orders, giving them the power to stop and search anyone within a certain area over a 24-hour period, about a dozen times this summer following tip-offs about planned clashes.

Cops have also carried out stop and search operations at a number of schools and potential hot-spots, though very few weapons have been found.