Efforts to tackle antisocial behaviour in Hoo have proven successful, resulting in a reduction in reports.
Following complaints from residents about young people causing a nuisance and disturbances, a 48-hour dispersal order was put in place in the village on Wednesday 11 February. During this period, officers reviewed CCTV and body worn video footage of recent incidents and liaised with local schools to identify those responsible for the recent problems.
On Friday 13 February, with half term approaching, beat officers attended 12 addresses to speak directly to the teenagers and their parents, informing them that their conduct was unacceptable and warning them of the consequences should they continue to cause issues. In further enforcement, five young people were identified as the riders of e-bikes that had been causing a danger to others in the community, and they were interviewed in relation to suspected traffic offences.
However good news was to follow in the three weeks that followed, with only two reports of nuisance behaviour compared with 13 in the two weeks prior to the dispersal order being put in place.
Inspector Allen Searle said:
‘We understand and appreciate the impact antisocial behaviour can have on the comfort and wellbeing of residents, so we are doing everything in our power to track down the minority of young people causing it and stamp it out.
‘We’re glad to bring positive results to the Hoo community, and we shall continue to build on this good work over following months.’