Police issue dispersal order for Goring Gap after large gatherings of teenagers and antisocial behaviour

The dispersal order will be in place from today (June 3) for the next 48 hours.

Goring Gap, Goring Greensward, the area between Sea Lane in the west and George V in the east, the beach area and roads and paths south of Nutley Drive are all covered by the order.

It gives police officers and PCSOs the power to remove a person who has commited or is likely to commit crime or antisocial behaviour from the area and ban them from returning for two days.

This comes as residents have complained of a surge in littering in the Goring area due to gatherings of young people.

One bystander who contacted the Herald about the littering said they saw laughing gas canisters, broken bottles and small plastic bags used to carry drugs littering the space.

Chief Inspector for Adur and Worthing, Sarah Leadbeatter said: “We are aware of a number of issues whereby there have been large gatherings of teenagers and anti-social behaviour being conducted, despite the Government’s advice on social distancing.

“The policing role has never been to enforce social distancing – that is a matter for personal responsibility, and we have been encouraged by the vast majority of people adhering to this.

“The policing role in Worthing has not changed. We are here to prevent, investigate and detect crime and to keep people safe, and this is evidenced in the on-going efforts of police officers and staff to proactively tackle the crimes which harm the communities the most.”

Further orders will be put in place if necessary.

CI Leadbeatter added: “Our officers will be out patrolling and engaging with this small minority about the dispersal order and the current government guidance around the coronavirus. Officers will engage, explain and encourage and only if absolutely necessary, enforce.

“This order should be a warning to all those conducting anti-social behaviour that we are using the relevant powers available to us to tackle this behaviour.

“We are aware of reports coming to us both through our channels but also through social media platforms. We urge anyone who has been a witness or victim of this crime to make contact with us directly to ensure the relevant policing action is taken.”