Adlington troublemakers in police warning (From Chorley Citizen)

Adlington troublemakers in police warning

4:55pm Wednesday 14th December 2011 in Adlington By Chris Gee, Reporter

Signs are being erected around parks and recreation grounds in Adlington warning people that police have extra powers to deal with anti-social behaviour.

Villagers have been calling for more to be done to disperse groups of people who are causing disruption and the council has produced signs to give the police another tool to combat the problem.

The notices, which relate to the Violent Crime Act 2006, have been posted in locations such as King George’s playing field and close to Fairview Community Centre.

Councillor Eric Bell, who oversees community safety at Chorley Council, said: “The police did trial a ‘yellow card’ scheme as a means of raising awareness of the police powers.

“At a recent meeting of the police, local councillors and Adlington residents it was asked for a similar scheme to be re-introduced.

“These notices bring to the attention of people in the area the powers that are available and the police will be using them when necessary.”

If people are acting in an anti-social manner, police can tell them to leave the area and they cannot return within 48 hours.

If they do they can be arrested and put before the courts.

Councillor Peter Wilson, who has led the calls to introduce the signs and is a ward councillor for Adlington, said: “I’m delighted that the views of local councillors, residents and the police have been taken into consideration.”

PC Matt Lee, community beat manager for Adlington, said: “This is an example of the police working together with others to try and solve problems that residents are reporting to us.

“If there are people causing a nuisance in these public places, we can move them on.”