Police dispersal orders in place across Cannock and Hednesford town centres after robbery incidents
A public order which allows police to disperse people has been put in place in Cannock town centre and across the weekend in Hednesford.
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The section 34 dispersal notice by Staffordshire Police has been put in place in Cannock until 5pm on Friday (February 28).
The order allows police to disperse people from the town centre area if they are suspected to be involved in instances of antisocial behaviour, crime or disorder, and also means that anyone under the age of 16 can be returned to their home address.
A similar order is also in effect in Hednesford town centre until 3pm on Sunday.
Sergeant Oliver Sharma, of Cannock Local Policing Team (LPT), said: “We are issuing these dispersal notices in the interests of our local communities.
“We want to reassure the public that we only issue these orders when absolutely necessary.
"We have reasonable grounds to exercise these powers to alleviate community concerns and apprehend those who intend to disrupt the public and local businesses.”
The orders comes after two incidents in Cannock town centre where two groups of youths were threatened and robbed in separate incidents around the town.
The first incident took place on Market Street at around 4.40pm on Sunday (February 23) and say a group of four boys approached by a group of eight or nine teenagers.
The group threatened the four boys with a knife that was concealed in the waistband, demanding the boy's phones and bank cards.
A 15-year-old boy had his phone, watch, bank card, coat and electric scooter stolen, and was also punched in the face.
Three other boys, all aged 14, also had their phones stolen.
The suspects were described as all wearing black clothes and face masks, with a number of them riding electric scooters.
