A DISPERSAL order was introduced as as part of a four-day blitz by police and other authorities.

From Thursday until Sunday, officers from the Braintree and Uttlesford community policing team worked with officers from the Operational Support Group (OSG), special constables, Braintree Council and Trading Standards to tackle crime in the area.

A dispersal order was introduced from Friday evening until Sunday evening following reports of anti-social behaviour in Wulvesford and parts of Allectus Way in Witham.

Officers could order anyone to leave if they had reasonable grounds to believe the person had been or was likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress to residents.

If they returned or refused to leave, they could have been arrested and jailed for up to three months.

Lydia Zhao, owner of New Eastern Chinese in Wulvesford, called for CCTV to be introduced after a spate of anti-social behaviour.

During one incident last month she was punched and left bruised.

Kate Booker, who lives opposite the shops, said: "There's always problems, I won't go to the shop alone after 6pm as there is normally about 30 kids outside.

"I would say they are smoking weed and swearing.

"The poor people who run the takeaways get verbally abused all the time.

"We called the police last week as one of the lads threatened my 12 year old and his friends just for sitting in the bus stop- my son is now scared to go out.

"I definitely think the dispersal order is a good sign. They can be so scary, I think a curfew from the area would be better."

Jemma Doe, who picks up her son from the area, said: "When I go past there around 6pm there are usually about five teenagers there.

"Other than the odd smell of cannabis occasionally and a bit of noise I've personally not had any problems with them but I wouldn't be too pleased if I lived round there.

"Saying that, it's been like that since I was a kid living round there 10 or so years ago."

On Sunday, Greenfields housing association also signed up a family in Witham to an anti-social behaviour contract.

An application has also been made for a criminal behaviour order for a man living in Witham.

Sergeant Tom Bastendorff said: “We’ve had a successful weekend working with our partners to tackle crime in Witham and surrounding areas.

"By providing high visibility patrols and carrying out dedicated operations in the area, we have not only tackled criminals during that time period but we have disrupted future criminality and will continue to do so with further operations with our partners.”

Braintree and Witham Times:

ARRESTS were made and cannabis was seized during the four day blitz on anti-social behaviour by police. 


Last Thursday, officers raided a home in Peel Crescent, Braintree, where they discovered cannabis plants following tip-offs from the public.


A 26-year-old man from Braintree was arrested on suspicion of cultivation of cannabis and has been bailed pending further enquires.


Another warrant was executed later that day in Yare Avenue, Witham where a 22-year-old man was arrested and charged for possession of cannabis.


A warrant was out for his arrest for failing to appear at court. 


A 16-year-old boy was also arrested for possession of cannabis- he was bailed pending further enquiries.


There was an automatic number plate recognition in Witham on Friday. 


Twelve vehicles were stopped and two seized for being driven on the roads without valid insurance.


On Saturday, police used drug wipes to test 10 pubs and other premises in Witham.


That evening, along with Trading Standards, an operation using two young people to do a test purchase of alcohol was carried out on a licenced premises in Witham. 


It failed the test and further action will be taken.


Braintree Council also provided two environmental health officers to patrol alongside police in Witham between 5pm and 11pm.


No tickets were issued for littering offences.


On Sunday, a 25-year-old woman was arrested in Braintree after allegedly failing to appear in court.


Wendy Schmitt, councillor responsible for community safety, said: “The operation was part of a scheduled programme of activity, this was a great example of partnership working between Braintree Council and Essex Police to deal with issues relating to anti-social behaviour, environmental protection, trading standards including underage sales and licensing."