Dramatic Reduction in Crime
On the BBC Website today..
A dispersal order which police believe has "dramatically improved" life in a Hertfordshire town has been extended.
The order allows officers to warn people causing trouble to move on from the centre of Hitchin.
Since it was imposed in October 2009, crime has fallen by 40% and anti-social behaviour by 52% in the areas it was active, police said.
North Herts District Council has granted an extension of the order which will run until November.
Safer neighbourhoods inspector Simon Tabert said town centre rangers, who log security incidents in Hitchin as part of a partnership between the council and businesses, had "undoubtedly played a part".
Anyone who returns to the dispersal area after being given a warning risks arrest and prosecution.