Authority to use Dispersal Powers - 48 hours

Due to repeated incidents of anti-social behaviour across the Hendon and West Hendon wards, Inspector Tom Hinson has authorised a Dispersal Order which runs for a 48 hour period from 10:00am on 02/07/2025 - 10:00am on 04/07/2025.

A map showing the authorised specified locality is attached to this message. 

Dispersal powers

A dispersal power is the power to direct a person to leave a specific location for up to 48 hours if authorised by a police inspector or above. A direction can be given to anyone who is, or appears to be, over the age of 10. 

Who can issue or apply for dispersal powers?

Dispersal powers can be issued or applied for by police, including police community support officers (PCSOs) in some forces.

Grounds for issuing

The officer must have reasonable grounds to suspect that the behaviour of the person has contributed or is likely to contribute to members of the public in the locality being harassed, alarmed or distressed (or the occurrence of crime and disorder); and the direction is necessary to remove or reduce the likelihood of the anti-social behaviour, crime, or disorder. 

Failure to Comply with a direction to disperse

Any person who without reasonable excuse fails to comply with a direction to disperse, or who returns to the locality having been dispersed, commits an offence. 

Antisocial behaviour can come in many forms and can require support from more organisations than just the police. There are 13 different types of antisocial behaviour that we may be able to help with, including abandoned vehicles, littering or drugs paraphernalia and street drinking. A full list of what we categorise as antisocial behaviour is available on our website. 

We hope the information above is useful and addresses to some degree the concerns that you have raised. If you have experienced this issue or have information regarding an incident, please report it using our online reporting tools at https://www.met.police.uk, speak to an operator in our Force Communications Room via our online web chat or call the non-emergency number 101. 

Alternatively, you can stay 100% anonymous by contacting the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via their untraceable online form at crimestoppers-uk.org.