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Response 4040898

Response to request for information

Reference

4040898

Response date

2 July 2026

Request

Please provide the data separately for each of the calendar years 2023, 2024 and 2025.

I would like to know:

  1. The number of orders to disperse issued by council officers (separate figures for 2023, 2024 and 2025).
  2. The number of dispersal directions where the person was subsequently issued a Fixed Penalty Notice, and the number prosecuted, for breach of the dispersal element of the PSPO (separate figures for 2023, 2024 and 2025).
  3. 3. The number of authorised officers, and their job positions, who currently have the power to order individuals to disperse (as at the date of this request). Please specify if any of these authorised officers are from private companies or other organisations (for example, a Business Improvement District).
  4. If the answer to 3. is ‘yes’, please provide the number of dispersal orders and FPNs issued by these officers from private companies (if available). Please also provide data for the police if it is available.
  5. Whether the request to leave an area is given in writing or verbally. If in writing, please provide a blank copy of any dispersal / direction-to-leave form or notebook template.
  6. If possible, please provide anonymised copies of all orders issued in 2025, showing the grounds on which individuals were asked to leave an area. You can redact any personal data and provide only the recorded grounds / reason for each order. If the number of orders makes this impracticable, please provide the records for a shorter period (for example November and December 2025). If you consider that this question engages an exemption, please treat it separately and continue to answer the remaining questions.
  7. Whether your authority has a means by which dispersal orders can be appealed or challenged; and if so, the number of dispersal directions that were appealed, challenged, or withdrawn / cancelled in 2023, 2024 and 2025.
  8. Any training given to officers before they are authorised to issue dispersal directions. Please provide any recorded training materials or course outlines.
  9. Any policy, guidance or criteria that officers are instructed to apply when deciding whether to disperse someone, and what they are required to record as the reason for a dispersal.
  10. The number of occasions (2023, 2024 and 2025) on which a person was directed to leave an area that included their home or workplace; or, if this is not recorded, whether officers are instructed to check this before issuing a direction.
  11. Whether the council has carried out any review or evaluation of the use of these powers, and whether any complaints have been received about their use (please give numbers).

Response

  1. The number of orders to disperse issued by council officers (separate figures for 2023, 2024 and 2025).
    • Nil
  2. The number of dispersal directions where the person was subsequently issued a Fixed Penalty Notice, and the number prosecuted, for breach of the dispersal element of the PSPO (separate figures for 2023, 2024 and 2025).
    • Nil
  3. 3. The number of authorised officers, and their job positions, who currently have the power to order individuals to disperse (as at the date of this request). Please specify if any of these authorised officers are from private companies or other organisations (for example, a Business Improvement District).
    • Two Principal Officer
    • Eight Technical Officer
  4. If the answer to 3. is ‘yes’, please provide the number of dispersal orders and FPNs issued by these officers from private companies (if available). Please also provide data for the police if it is available.
    • Not applicable
  5. Whether the request to leave an area is given in writing or verbally. If in writing, please provide a blank copy of any dispersal / direction-to-leave form or notebook template.
    • None have been issued or produced
  6. If possible, please provide anonymised copies of all orders issued in 2025, showing the grounds on which individuals were asked to leave an area. You can redact any personal data and provide only the recorded grounds / reason for each order. If the number of orders makes this impracticable, please provide the records for a shorter period (for example November and December 2025). If you consider that this question engages an exemption, please treat it separately and continue to answer the remaining questions.
    • Nil
  7. Whether your authority has a means by which dispersal orders can be appealed or challenged; and if so, the number of dispersal directions that were appealed, challenged, or withdrawn / cancelled in 2023, 2024 and 2025.
    • Nil challenges. If necessary a complaint comment can be made via our website
  8. Any training given to officers before they are authorised to issue dispersal directions. Please provide any recorded training materials or course outlines.
    • No specific training has been provided
  9. Any policy, guidance or criteria that officers are instructed to apply when deciding whether to disperse someone, and what they are required to record as the reason for a dispersal.
    • The powers are provided principally for police and pcso's to use if required.
  10. The number of occasions (2023, 2024 and 2025) on which a person was directed to leave an area that included their home or workplace; or, if this is not recorded, whether officers are instructed to check this before issuing a direction.
    • Nil records
  11. Whether the council has carried out any review or evaluation of the use of these powers, and whether any complaints have been received about their use (please give numbers).
    • Nil complaints about its potential use

FOI Responses Community Safety 2026