Dispersal orders in Surrey at bank holiday weekend

Dispersal orders aimed at curbing anti-social behaviour have been put in place across parts of Surrey, police say.

Surrey Police has authorised orders in Elmbridge, Guildford and Sheerwater to stamp out behaviour including car meets.

The orders allow officers to order people out the affected areas and run at different points in the weekend, with two ending on Sunday evening and one in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

Insp Blaine Rafferty said of the Guildford order: "A rise in antisocial behaviour is not uncommon as we approach the warmer months, but we know how disruptive it can be and are working closely with our partners to manage the impact on the town."

He added: "We would like to reassure residents and visitors that there is no need to avoid coming into town while the dispersal order is in place, and that we have done so to ensure people can visit Guildford safely and enjoyably over the bank holiday weekend."

Rafferty said the Guildford order, running from 10:00 to 23:59 BST on Sunday, 24 May, had been issued after reports of anti-social behaviour in recent weekends.

In Sheerwater, he added that the order, which began on Friday evening and runs to 17:59 BST on Sunday, came after reports of people with weapons in the area in the past two weeks.

Separate orders have also been issue for Cobham Services on the M25, Brooklands Industrial Estate in Weybridge and Waterside Drive in Walton-on-Thames due to two planned car meets in the area.

Inspector Chris Thoday, borough commander for Elmbridge, said the orders were "not intended to spoil the fun of car enthusiasts, but simply to minimise the impact of anti-social driving".

The orders regarding the car meets are in place from 12:00 BST on Sunday, 24 May until 04:00 BST on Tuesday, 26 May.

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