Police issue dispersal order for two Conwy towns after youths cause problems

Police have issued a dispersal order covering two Conwy towns after a spate of incidents involving youths. ‌​‌‌​​​‌‍‌​‌​‌​​​

The order came into force at 3pm today (Friday, 26 May) and will remain in place until midnight. ‌​‌‌​​​‌‍‌​‌​‌​​​

It was issued following concerns over the behaviour of youths in the area and gives officers the power to disperse groups causing trouble. ‌​‌‌​​​‌‍‌​‌​‌​​​

A North Wales Police spokesperson said: “We have dealt with a spate of recent incidents involving youths aged 12 – 16 and the level of their offending is causing frustration and concern amongst local business owners and the community. ‌​‌‌​​​‌‍‌​‌​‌​​​

“Parents and carers – please ensure your young people are aware of the following dispersal order, covering the areas marked on the maps INCLUDING any beach within the indicated area. ‌​‌‌​​​‌‍‌​‌​‌​​​

“This gives officers (including PCSOs) the power to disperse a group of people who are causing, or are likely to cause a nuisance, harassment, distress, or public safety concern. ‌​‌‌​​​‌‍‌​‌​‌​​​

“Failure to comply with the order, or returning to the dispersal area may result in police returning young people under 16 to their homes. ‌​‌‌​​​‌‍‌​‌​‌​​​

“For adults, failure to comply with an order could be treated as an offence and you could be convicted. If this happened, you could be fined or issued with a term in prison of up to three months. ‌​‌‌​​​‌‍‌​‌​‌​​​

“However, we would stress, that adults and young people who are behaving themselves have nothing to fear from this order . ‌​‌‌​​​‌‍‌​‌​‌​​​

“Please be assured we are working hard to ensure that the very small number of people perpetrating these crimes do not disproportionately impact on the vast majority of law-abiding residents and visitors.” ‌​‌‌​​​‌‍‌​‌​‌​​​