Police have gained powers to disperse groups and ban people from the town, just two days after the last order ended on Wednesday.

This is the second dispersal order issued in Macclesfield to tackle anti-social behaviour this week, after the first was ordered for 24 hours on Tuesday.

Unfortunately, it seems it has not helped reduce our town's anti-social behaviour problem, as a second, longer dispersal order has been granted to Macclesfield police.

Police will be using dispersal orders banning anyone from the town for up to 48 hours to prevent disorder. 

The dispersal order has been imposed under Section 34 of the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, dispersal orders make it an offence for anyone to return to a specific area for up to 48 hours.

The area covered is as indicated by the highlighted mapped area which is provided to anyone issued with a direction to leave. 

It covers the town centre of Macclesfield, with Hibel Road being the most north point, and Park Street at the south.

The powers are in place until 1pm on Saturday 24 July.Inspector Gareth Beasley said: "We have been given no other option but to impose another dispersal order following further reports of anti-social behaviour in Macclesfield town centre.

"This order gives us further powers to deal with anti-social behaviour in the area and residents will see a visible policing presence as will be stepping up patrols to assist in enforcing the order.

"I again would urge residents who have experienced ASB to report this to us by calling 101 or reporting it via our website so that we can investigate further."

Antisocial behaviour is defined as 'behaviour by a person which causes, or is likely to cause, harassment, alarm or distress to persons not of the same household as the person'.

This covers loiterers, congregating youths and more.

This definition is according to the Antisocial Behaviour Act 2003 and Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011).

Anyone with information on ASB in their area can report it by calling Cheshire Police on 101 or report it via this webpage

We reported on recent crime figures in Central Macclesfield - including anti-social behaviour - on this article.

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