Welling Police have issued a direction to leave notice after a rise in anti-social behaviour.

After a true night of horrors on Halloween in the Welling/Sidcup area, police have issued a Section 35 in anticipation for bad behaviour on Bonfire Night.

News Shopper:

This all comes afer a rather crazy night on October 31 when police were 'run ragged' by a sudden spike in crime.

On November 1, a spokesman from Blendon and Penhill police said: "We attended several calls including a group of about 20 youths turning over a car in Welling.

"We started off the shift with disorder just across the road from our office in Station Road where a large group of youths had been rampaging through Tesco Express where a member of staff and two members of the public were assaulted."

Three possible suspects were dispersed from the area and two were taken home and will be dealt with by way of interview under caution at a later date.

One will be reported to TfL for using their free Oyster travel to come to the area to cause ASB.

The spokesman continued: "We also stopped four youths in Willersley Avenue who were searched as we received information they had been letting off fireworks in the street.

"A resident of Rowley Avenue flagged us down whose house had been approached by four males, one of which was believed to have had what looked like a machete. We did an extensive search of the area but did not find anyone."

Welling Police believe tonight could follow the same pattern.

The Section 35 will be in place from 3pm today (November 5) until 4am tomorrow.

What does this mean?

This means that individuals that act in a manner which is resulting or likely to result, in any member of the public being harassed, alarmed or distressed, or likely to cause disorder or commit crime, will be directed to leave the area highlighted in the maps attached with this post by a Constable in uniform or a Police Community Support Officer

The authorisation means that a constable can also direct the individual to surrender to the constable any item in the person’s possession or control that the constable reasonably believes has been used or is likely to be used in behaviour that harasses, alarms or distresses members of the public.

The direction can be given to anyone over the age of 10. The officer will be able to return children under 16 home or to another place of safety if they are behaving anti-socially and are not accompanied by an adult. Other powers are available for individuals under 10 years of age.

What happens if I don’t leave?

You will be committing an offence under Section 39 of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Police Act, which can result in you being arrested by a Police Constable, and if convicted has a maximum penalty of three months imprisonment and/or £2500.

Failure to hand over surrendered items would also be a criminal offence and would have a penalty of up to a £500 fine.