The Little Red Book of London's Dispersal Zones

The Little Red Book of London’s Dispersal Zones

Robin Philpott Unit 8 2014-15

Contents

2

Introduction

5

The Act

7

Greater London Map

10

Vauxhall

13

Vassall

17

Elmfield Way

21

Ladbroke Grove

25

Primrose Hill

29

Gladstone Park

33

Poplar

37

Upton Park

41

Ilford

45

Leyton

49

Tottenham

53

Enfield

57

Yeading

65

Mullberry Parade

69

West Drayton

73

Cowley

77

Hounselow East

81

West Molesey

85

Tooting

89

3

Compiling information on dispersal zones.

4

Introduction “There’s no point in acting surprised about it.

All the planning charts and demolition orders have been on display at your local planning department in Alpha Centauri for 50 of your Earth years, so you’ve had plenty of time to lodge any formal complaint and it’s far too late to start making a fuss about it now.”

Prostetnic Vogon Jeltz of the Galactic Hyperspace Planning Council, commenting on the demolition of Earth in Douglas Adam’s Hitchiker’s guide to the Galaxy, although he may as well be speaking about dispersal zones. Whilst the information is available it’s hardly on display, there are no signs in the zones. To obtain the whereabouts and existence of these dispersal zones required a freedom of information request to the metropolitan police service and even then the information was incomplete and required further research.

Knowledge is power, it is through understanding the system that it can be improved. This book is not an in-depth study or thesis on dispersal zones; it is a handy pocketbook guide on the existing zones in Greater London, giving the reader the information in a clear and concise manner. This is not a book for anarchists. Its a book for Londoners and those visiting London to be informed about the 21 dispersal zones that currently exist.

5

6

The Act The Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003 introduced a variety of new powers to local authorities and police forces in England and Wales.

Sections 30-36 of the act gave the police powers to set up a dispersal zone. On October 20th 2014 sections 34-42 of the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 came in to force, replacing the previous act and giving additional dispersal powers.

A dispersal order is issued by a police superintendant or higher, with consent of the local authority; on the grounds that members of the public have been intimidated, harassed, alarmed or distressed in a public area where there has been persistent anti social behaviour.

This gives uniformed officers within the zone the power to disperse groups of 2 or more people and escort home any young person under 16 between the hours of 9pm and 6am who is not accompanied by a responsible adult, Until 2014 the power to remove young people was permissive, but after the October amendment is now coercive.

A dispersal zone can run for a maximum of 6 months and during this time a constable or Community support officer may direct members of the public to comply with the order. Failure to do so is a criminal offence and punishable by 3 months imprisonment and/or a fine of up to ÂŁ2500.

7

A uniformed directions:

officer

may

give

the

following

Tell a group of 2 or more people to disperse immediately or at a specified time and manner.

On reasonable grounds to believe they have or could cause anti-social behaviour, resulting in a member of the public being; intimidated, harassed, alarmed or distressed.

Order people who don’t live in the affected area to leave, as with groups this can be an immediate direction or at the officers discretion.

Additionally the officer can tell those who don’t live in the zone to not return to the relevant area for a specified period of time, not exceeding 24 hours.

If between the hours of 9pm and 6am, an officer finds an individual in a the affected area and there is reasonable grounds for believing that person is under the age of 16 and not accompanied by a responsible adult parent or guardian, they may be escorted to their home address unless the officer believes the youth would suffer significant harm at home. ​ This all seems very reasonable and indeed it is on paper, however in practice it’s not always the case. Dispersal zones have been used to target homeless people; moving on rough sleepers from one area to another isn’t a reduction in crime, it’s simply removing the “undesirables”.

8

The act is a response to a genuine issue and attempts to tackle anti social behaviour.

However, it can be used for ulterior motives and the potential exists for unproportional growth.

Authorities are becoming less transparent and more powerful, this has resulted in a physical manifestation of restricted liberties in perceived public space. It’s not to say that the establishment is sinister or this is the start of dystopia; legislation is made with the best intentions, yet the lack of clear information available such as signs in the dispersal zones, leads to changes without knowledge or consent.

It is by understanding what the implications of these acts are and how written legislation physically manifests that we can change or improve it.

These zones at current only cover a small area of the capitol but to ignore them for being insignificant could lead to unregulated expansion without consent or knowledge of this happening.

9

10

11

Vauxhall

12

Vauxhall Authority: London Borough of Lambeth From: 18:00 16th October 2014 To: 17:59 16th April 2014 The Area: Vauxhall is a busy transport hub

sitting on what once was the famous Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens, it has a large gay club seen which on weekends as with any such area in London leads to drunken behaviour on the streets.

Reason: The zone was set up due to the selling and use of Nitrous oxide ‘Laughing Gas’ and the disruptive behaviour it was causing.

Other: All of Lambeth is an Alcohol free zone

meaning it must be consumed on a premises and not in public space. No signs exist indicating the Dispersal Zone.

13

Va

ux

ha

ll

Br

id

ge

MI6

Vauxhall

14

Vauxhall

Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens

The Oval

15

Vassall

16

Vassall Authority: London Borough of Lambeth From: 12:01 3rd October 2014 To: 12:01 3rd April 2014 The Area: This is a quiet residential area not

far from the Oval Cricket ground. It’s a mix of Middle class housing and council estates.

Reason: The zone was set up due to complaints by residents and community groups over anti social behaviour from youths.

Other: All of Lambeth is an Alcohol free zone

meaning it must be consumed on a premises and not in public space. No signs exist indicating the Dispersal Zone.

17

18

Brixton Road

Gosling Way

Vassall

all

Vass

Road

19

Elmfield Way

20

Emfield Way Authority: Kensington and Chelsea From: Active as of November 2014 To: Unknown The Area: Elmfield way is one of two main roads that runs through a housing development.

Reason: The freedom of Information request only included a map without any information.

Other: The only speculation that can be made

is this area is a new development within an existing council estate and there could be an assumption as seen elsewhere that there has been problems with groups of youths loitering.

21

Westway

22

Emfield Way

Harr

ow R oad

ield

Elmf

Way

23

Elmfield Way

24

Ladbroke Grove Authority: Kensington and Chelsea From: Active as of November 2014 To: Unknown The Area: Ladbroke grove passes under the Westway bypass the zone includes the underground station and extends into residential areas, it is a 5 minute walk from Portobello market.

Reason: Whilst dates are unknown an internet search found a news article stating that large groups of up to 20 youths would gather in the area and cause vandalism.

Other: As with Lambeth and most other boroughs, Kensington and Chelsea is a Alcohol free zone.

25

ord

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den

Gar

y

twa

Wes

ke bro Lad ve Gro

26

Ladbroke Grove

l Al

ts in sa

ad Ro

lo

el

ob

rt

Po

ad

Ro

27

Primrose Hill

28

Primrose Hill Authority: London Borough of Camdem From: 22:00 To: 21:59

7th November 2014 11th February 2015

The Area: Primrose Hill is situated in the Northern side of Regents park and overlooks the city, offering picturesque views day and night.

Reason: There have been incidents of criminal damage. But the real issue that isn’t explained

by Anti-social behaviour is couples having sex in the park at night.

Other: Regent’s Park is one of London’s Royal Parks and whilst police enforce rules on behalf of her majesty and to keep peace and order, it has its own bylaws and Royal Park wardens.

29

Primrose Hill

30

Primrose Hill

31

Gladstone Park

32

Gladstone Park Authority: London Borough of Brent From: August 2014 To: Unknown The Area: Gladstone Park is in the Northwest

of London, a railway line runs through the park that is only used by freight trains, it is

Reason: The dispersal zone was set up to stop homeless Romanians sleeping in the park after dark.

Other: Considering parks In London are closed

after sunset it seems unlikely sleeping homeless people cause any form of disruption or harm to the public.

33

34

Gladstone Park

35

Poplar

36

Poplar Authority: London Borough of Tower Hamlets From: 12:00 To: 23:59

21st July 2014 2Oth January 2015

The

Area: The area is comprised of under privileged council housing and ageing industry, bordered by the noisy A12.

Reason: In 2013 a 16 year old named Ajmol Ali was stabbed to death in the area and fear remained among residents of further possible incidents caused by gangs, as a result a dispersal zone was created.

37

hua

Jos

38

Poplar

Bo

w

Cr

ee

k

eet

Str

A12 Balfron Tower

39

Upton Park

40

Upton Park Authority: London Borough of Newham From: August 2014 To: February 2015 The Area: Upton park is the area surrounding

West Ham United’s Football ground with a station of the same name.

Reason:

“intimidating” groups of youths gathering in the streets at night around West Ham’s Upton Park stadium.

Other: In September 2014 the council issued

statements to newspapers saying the zone “youth removal zone” was a success.

41

eet Str en Gre

42

Upton Park

Boleyn Ground ing

Bark

Road

43

Ilford

44

Ilford

Authority: London Borough of Redbridge From: 1 September 2014 To: 1 March 2015 The Area: The zone includes the pedestrianised town centre and Ilford railway station. This is the node for shopping and weekend drinkers. The Ilford Shopping centre that sits on the site has become a ghost mall with just a few shops remaining open, this is most likely due to competition from Westfield in Stratford.

Reason: Crime levels haven’t risen within the zone or surrounding area. Instead the perception of crime has, complaints to councillors from locals led to the creation of a new zone.

Other: A previous zone existed during 2013 due to prostitution in Ilford Town centre.

45

46

Ilford

47

Leyton

48

Leyton

Authority: London Borough of Waltham Forest From: 15 October 2014 To: 15 April 2015 The Area: The zone is focused around Abbott’s park a local playing field with sporting facilities, it includes the high street towards Leyton Midland Road station.

Reason: Groups of youths have been loitering

around the high street and in the park on evenings causing a disturbance.

Other: There was an issue with beggars outside

this and other stations in Leyton that have led to dispersal zones.

49

50

Leyton

51

Tottenham

52

Tottenham Authority: London Borough of Haringey From: September 2014 To: March 2015 The Area: Currently the Largest zone in all over Greater London, covering an area of just under 1 square mile, this includes White heart Lane and a large industrial estate.

Reason: Like with most zones the reasons are vague and simply state Anti social behaviour was present and constant prior to the creation of the zone.

Other: This part of North London is very bleak, industrial and polluted, with lots of low income housing and a crap football club.

53

54

Tottenham

55

Enfield

56

Enfield

Authority: London Borough of Enfield From: 26 June 2014 To: Extended indefinitely The Area: Enfield is one of the outer London

boroughs and much like Croydon doesn’t feel like London. The dispersal zone engulfs the town centre.

Reason: This zone was set up to create a youth curfew.

Other: Enfields dispersal zone is interesting

in that it has been renewed every 6 months with a new zone being set up following the same boundaries.

57

58

Enfield

59

Yeading

60

Yeading

Authority:

London Borough of Hillingdon

From: No date specified To: No date specified The Area: Yeading is a very quiet part of

outer London. Many Londoners don’t consider it to be truly London. The zone covers the town centre. The dispersal area is mainly suburban with a large retail outlet included.

Reason: This zone was set up due to drug usage in public. This led to bad behaviour by addicts, loitering, dealing and trouble for local residents.

61

62

Yeading

63

Mullberry Parade

64

Mullberry Parade

Authority:

London Borough of Hillingdon

From: No date specified To: No date specified The Area: A rather rough council estate with ageing and ugly 1950/60’s flats.

Reason: The zone was set in place due to vandalism on shop fronts and private property by gangs of youths.

Other: Such areas face problems in crime due to the lack of activity. It’s not a case of the bad lower classes but the bored lower classes.

This needs to change.

65

66

Mullberry Parade

67

West Drayton

68

West Drayton

Authority:

London Borough of Hillingdon

From: No date specified To: No date specified The

Area: Yet another dispersal zone in Hillingdon, it appears this cluster of zones is due to the local authorities approach to tackle crime.

Reason: The only thing known about this zone is that it exists because of Anti-social behaviour little else could be found out.

69

70

West Drayton

71

Cowley

72

Cowley

Authority:

London Borough of Hillingdon

From: 16th June 2014 To: 16th December 2014 The Area: An industrial/office estate a stones throw from the M25.

Reason: Hillingdon seem to have very little

information on their active dispersal zones, nothing is known about this zone except the standard reason of anti-social behaviour.

73

74

Cowley

75

Hounslow East

76

Hounslow East

Authority:

London Borough of Hounslow

From: No start date specified To: No end date specified The Area: The dispersal zone runs around the tube station.

Reason: Begging had become a nuisance to locals and complaints led to the council setting us this zone.

77

78

Hounslow East

Hounslow East

79

West Molesey

80

West Molesey

Authority: London Borough of Richmond upon Thames

From: No start date specified To: No end date specified The Area: The area is part of large urban expanse. The wider area is in parts village like with affluent housing.

Reason: Groups of people had been harassing others. Little else is known.

81

82

West Molesey

83

Tooting

84

Tooting

Authority: London Borough of Wandsworth From: 9th August 2014 To: 8th February 2015 The Area: The zone includes Figge’s marsh a the local green for dog walkers, Sunday league football. The surrounding streets are mainly suburban. The overground runs through the zone to the North.

Reason: Merton Police say they introduced the dispersal zone in response to local residents’ complaints of persistent anti-social behaviour in their area.

85

86

Tooting

Figge’s Marsh

87