ESSEX Police has issued a dispersal order which covers the entirety of Witham in a bid to crackdown on bonfire night anti-social behaviour.

The force issued the order from 6pm this evening, November 5, and it will continue until 6pm tomorrow, November 6.

It has been issued as a “preventive measure” to allow officers to “prevent incidents of anti-social behaviour in the town while others enjoy Guy Fawkes Night”.

Key roads mentioned include Newlands Street, Powers Hall End, Hatfield Road, Rickstones Road, and Highfields Road but the whole of Witham is included in the order.

Map -the dispersal order zoneMap -the dispersal order zone (Image: Essex Police)
Essex Police temporary inspector Rob Webber said: “We are continuing our work to tackle reports of anti-social behaviour in Witham town.

"So we are taking proactive steps to make sure the law-abiding majority of the public can enjoy themselves this evening.

“We are aware of some groups causing issues for members of the public and local businesses and rest assured we are taking action.

“We will have officers across the town and this order gives them the power to disperse any groups behaving anti-socially or disorderly in the town.”