Officers will be patrolling the Fleet Christmas Festival event tomorrow night in a bid to help combat anti-social behaviour should any incidents occur.

As part of our plans for this, a dispersal order has been authorised under Section 34 of the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act.

The order is in place from 3pm until 10pm on Wednesday 27 November and it enables police to deal with any issues of anti-social behaviour if they occur.

Officers will have additional powers to order a person to leave the area (pictured in the map attached) with no return within the specified time period.

Those who refuse to comply with the order are committing a criminal offence and are liable for arrest.

It comes after officers received reports of anti-social behaviour, public order offences, assaults and alcohol-related issues at last year’s event.

Fleet Police Sergeant Geoff Hill said: “We want people to enjoy the evening and celebrate the start of the festive period in a safe and well-spirited environment.

“Clearly not everyone in attendance will engage in anti-social behaviour, however we have taken these steps following the reports we received at last year’s event.

“We have no objection to people gathering to meet up socially, however those who choose to act in an anti-social way, or who are intent on committing crimes, will be dealt with.

“We would ask all those in attendance to act responsibly and any behaviour which crosses the line will not be tolerated.”