Anti-social behaviour at Carlton Centre prompts 48hr dispersal order

Lincolnshire Police said they will enforce a dispersal order around Carlton Centre in Lincoln this weekend due to persistent and ongoing anti-social behaviour in the area, specifically at McDonald’s.

A number of businesses in the shopping precinct have complained recently and police authorised a dispersal order between 5pm on Friday, November 13, and 5pm on Sunday, November 15.

This means any individual found in the area can be given a direction to leave immediately. If the individual then returns, they would be committing a criminal offence, and will be arrested.

The order also gives a power to take any person under 16, who has been given a direction to leave, to their home address or a place of safety.

Inspector Pat Coates said: “We are specifically asking parents to question where their sons and daughters are going in the evening and talk to them about their behaviour.

“Whilst we do not want to interfere with young people socialising, we expect their behaviour to be acceptable.

“We will not tolerate anti-social behaviour towards other members of the public and businesses from this minority who have been attending the Carlton Centre. We need to send them a clear message that they cannot continue to behave in this way.

“We will have officers patrolling the Carlton Centre this weekend and if necessary, enforcing the dispersal order.

“If it is necessary to disperse any individuals then we will be taking further action in partnership with City Council Public Protection and Anti-Social Behaviour team.”

A similar dispersal order was authorised in May 2015.