Barrow police use new powers to target town centre crime and disorder

Barrow police are set to use new powers this weekend to help them tackle violence and disorder in the town centre.

For the first time this weekend (Friday 31 July -Sunday 2 August), Barrow officers will use section 27 notices under the Violent Crime Reduction Act 2006 to remove potentially violent and disorderly individuals from the town centre. This runs as part of ongoing Operation Regulate that was launched in 1998 to reduce night time anti-social behaviour, crime and violence and enable law abiding revellers to enjoy a safe and crime-free night out.

As part of their regular patrols in the area, officers are now able to issue section 27 notices to people aged 16 or over who are acting in an anti-social or potentially violent manner and instruct them to leave a specified area for up to 48 hours. If they choose to ignore the instruction and return within the 48-hour period, they will face arrest.

Sergeant Ian McClymont from Barrow police said: “Sadly, a minority of people in Barrow are intent on spoiling a night out for others by going one step too far and becoming aggressive or disorderly.

“In that majority of cases the catalyst for trouble is too much alcohol. People tend to lose control of their senses and start to feel that they can ‘take on the world’.

“By enforcing section 27 notices, we are able to identify those who behave anti-socially and intervene at an early stage - before serious offences are committed. We are dedicated to ensuring that Barrow remains a safe, pleasant place for people to go about their business and enjoy themselves, and hope that these new powers will make a positive difference to Barrow’s night time economy.”