Residents Welcome Police Action As Park Becomes ‘No-Go Zone’

Residents are welcoming Police action at Little Bowden Recreation Ground.

A Dispersal Order was implemented over the weekend after serious disorder on Friday night, involving youths armed with metal bars fighting.

Officers recovered two knives that had been discarded when they were called to the scene, although no reports of assaults were received.

Drug-use, under-age drinking and loud music being played into the early hours has also been happening.

Jane – who lives near the park – told Hfm is has become a no-go zone for people in the evening:

There was a strong Police presence in the park over the weekend  Pic: Andy Carpenter

Sergeant Pete Jelbert, from Harborough Police, told Hfm they won’t hesitate to implement dispersal orders in the future:

Inspector Siobhan Gorman, of the Harborough police team, outlined the problems as she gave authorisation for the 36-hour dispersal order, which ended last night.

In the authorisation document, she said: “I am satisfied on reasonable grounds that the use of these powers may be necessary for the purpose of reducing the likelihood of members of the public in the locality being harassed, alarmed or distressed.”

“On June 26, there were approximately one hundred youths on Little Bowden Park. We received numerous calls from the community that serious disorder had taken place involving youths, adults and weapons.

“These reports from local residents were underpinned when discarded weapons were found close to the location where the disorder was reported.

“This caused significant upset and fear in the community due to the numbers of people involved and escalation.”