By Steven Bell

Dundee’s most senior police officer last night revealed that controversial new powers to disperse anti-social groups have been considered for problem spots in the city.

But divisional commander Chief Superintendent Ian Alexander said they were keen to use existing measures before jumping to the “last resort” ban zones made available in last year’s Anti-social Behaviour Act.

Police in Aberdeen this week became the first to use the dispersal powers—four months after they were made available to Scottish forces.

Their “pick and mix” use of measures in the act, in response to boy racers in a specific area, could yet be repeated in Dundee—but only after other methods of dealing with the problem have been exhausted.

“We would use it, if the circumstances were right,” said Mr Alexander. “What we would want to do, though, is along with our partners come up with a long-term strategy beyond the dispersal period.

“I was speaking to residents of one area of Dundee this week, and what they were saying is that they want us to be active. But on the other side of the coin, they don’t want us to stigmatise people.

“And there is concern that dispersal powers could do exactly what it says on the tin—disperse people into other areas. We have to look at it ‘in the round.’ ”

Senior officers declined to identify which areas have been considered, but it is understood that the off-road biking problem at the Tarzan’s Island area near Whitfield is typical of the problems which could be addressed by dispersal powers.

But Mr Alexander said, “One of the powers of first resort is parental intervention. We’ve had a really good response from parents to things like warning letters or senior police officer’s warnings.

“In the case of senior officer’s warnings, statistics show that less than 10% of those who receive them re-offend.

“We don’t want to lose what has previously worked and jump straight to dispersal, which isn’t a long-term solution.”

Various concerns have been expressed about dispersal powers, including the potential for ban zones to have the opposite effect by attracting anti-social elements.

Dispersal zones can be designated for a limited time, with police having the power to impose temporary bans on groups of people.

Breaches of those bans can lead to four-figure fines or even jail sentences. It is hoped the measure will offer respite to residents and businesses suffering persistent “intimidation and abuse.”

The Dundee community planning partnership is expected to put its anti-social behaviour strategy out to consultation this month.

It will outline how the various bodies envisage new powers being used to tackle problems in the city.

Parental orders and restriction of liberty orders for under-16s become available next month, while commencement of anti-social behaviour notices is planned for November.