Police issue Dispersal Order after huge number of teenagers invade peaceful Milton Keynes town
Large groups of teenagers have caused so much trouble in Olney that police have issued a special Disperal Order to stop them drinking and fighting.
The youths congregated in the historic town during the hot weather over the Bank Holiday and promptly caused one of the worst weekends residents have ever seen.
Today (Wednesday May 27) Olney Town Council has published a statement from Mayor of Olney Debbie Whitworth expressing her anger and horror at the happenings.
She said: “This weekend at the recreational ground in Olney we saw an unprecedented amount of anti-social behaviour being displayed sadly by young people. Their behaviour impacted local residents who were scared to leave their homes and were unable to visit our beautiful green open spaces.”
Many of the youths came in cars and parked illegally, even blocking fire engines from getting out of the fire station.
Cllr Whitworth said: “The parking of vehicles was diabolical, utterly selfish and without a thought to how their parking would affect residents.”
As the day progressed into evening, there were reports of people fighting and rumours that somebody had been stabbed.
When police attended, they found the victim had sustained a minor caused by an object that was “not a weapon”, said ward councillor David Tyler.
He added: “While they investigated, led by an Inspector, Thames Valley Police put in a dispersal order to ensure those present left the area and did not return for the duration of the order.”
A TVP spokesperson said: “A Section 34 Dispersal Order is currently in place in the Olney area, surrounding Olney Cricket Club, and the land adjacent to the River Ouse, following reports of teenagers gathering in large groups.
“Under the order, police have powers to disperse any individual or groups causing public disorder or nuisance. Anybody dispersed under this order is liable to arrest should they refuse to comply with the order or return to the area while the order is in place.”
Cllr Whitworth has now contacted police chiefs as well as MK City Council’s anti-social behaviour team requesting an urgent meeting with Olney Town Council and all stakeholders to discuss ways to prevent the problems from happening again.
Meanwhile, she has urged anybody witnessing anti-social behaviour in Olney to call police on 999.