Criminal damage sees police given extra powers

Police have been given extra powers to deal with trouble-makers after reports of criminal damage.

A dispersal order has been put in place in Failsworth, Oldham, and will be in force until 07:00 BST on Sunday.

A force spokesperson said there had been incidents of anti-social behaviour on Friday and, in recent weeks, groups of young people were reported to have been causing criminal damage at a business and causing concern to local communities.

Insp Matthew Catlow said: "This order has been implemented to provide further powers for officers in the area to deal with anti-social behaviour, and to protest people and businesses."

The order, which came into force at 12:00 BST on Saturday, gives officers additional powers to order anyone they suspect of causing crime, a nuisance or anti-social behaviour to leave a specific area.

The area covered by the dispersal order includes:

• Partington Street bordered by Lord Lane between the junction with Ashton Road West and Brierly Avenue
• Brierly Avenue between its junctions with Lord Lane and Ashton Road East
• Ashton Road East between its junctions with Brierley Avenue and as it evolves into Ashton Road West up to the junction with Lord Lane

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