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Police issue 85 dispersal orders in store car park
A Tottenham hotspot for crime and antisocial behaviour was the focus of a police crackdown last week.
Complaints from residents and businesses about behaviour in the car park outside the Wickes shop, in Seven Sisters Road, prompted police to impose a dispersal order last June.
But the order, which was extended in December 2007 and gives police power to disperse groups of two or more from the area for up to 24 hours, has failed to stamp out the problem.
The six-day operation, which ended last Friday, led to 13 arrests for breach of the dispersal order, handling stolen goods, vehicle theft, carrying an offensive weapon in a public place, possession of Class A drugs, possession of counterfeit DVDs, and fraud.
Eighty-five dispersal order notices were issued, three unroadworthy cars were taken off the road, three vehicles were seized for having no tax disc and bailiffs recovered a total of £26,000 in unpaid fines.
Ignoring a dispersal order carries a maximum sentence of three months' imprisonment or a
fine of up to £2,500.
The crime sweep was a joint effort involving police, the DVLA, bailiffs, Haringey Council's enforcement team and immigration
officers.
Chief Inspector Graham Dean, who managed the operation, said: "This is part of an ongoing police initiative. We will continue to work with partnership agencies using a problem-solving approach to develop a long-term solution to the issues affecting residents and
businesses within the dispersal zone."
Neighbours have complained of people loitering around the DIY store, touting for illegal work in the building trade, drinking, dropping litter and behaving aggressively.
In March, a makeshift slum housing up to 30 Polish nationals - many of whom touted for work outside Wickes.
Councillor Nilgun Canver,
cabinet member for enforcement and safer communities, said: "This operation achieved some great results.
"Let's hope that, continuing to work in partnership, we can be effective in stopping groups congregating in this area and upsetting residents and businesses."
As well as the Wickes car park, the dispersal order affects Seven Sisters Road between St Ann's Road and Seven Sisters Railway Station, Culvert Road, as far as the junction with Russell Road, and Russell Road, including all alleyways and passages.
Other roads included in the zone are Elizabeth Road, Greenfield Road and Birstall Road.
The order will remain in place until July 8.
8:15am Saturday 3rd May 2008
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