Cambridgeshire police put in place a 36-hour dispersal order yesterday (13/05), covering the Quayside area of Cambridge, which includes Jesus Green, in order to tackle drug-dealing and violence.

The order will come into force from 7pm tonight (14/05) and will last until 7am on Sunday (16/05).

The dispersal zone covers the area within Bridge Street, the River Cam on the Jesus Green side, Victoria Avenue, Jesus Green, Lower Park Street, New Park Street and Thompsons Lane.

In a statement, Cambridge City neighbourhood Inspector Ed McNeill, said: “We’ve seen an increase in anti-social behaviour since Covid restrictions were eased at the end of March.

“Last weekend alone we had eight calls for service to the area with reports of anti-social behaviour as a result of groups of people drinking, taking drugs and behaving in a disorderly manner. The order does not prevent people going to Quayside or within the dispersal zone. It is in place to enable us to disperse those individuals or groups who gather to cause anti-social behaviour, commit crime and disorder.

“We hope the order will provide some respite to local businesses, residents and visitors to the area who are being impacted by the recent behaviour.”

Last week students congregated on Jesus Green for Caesarian Sunday, despite COVID regulations banning large outdoor gatherings. While several police officers were present at the event, with one seen filming the crowds, they left the area and were not known to have made any charges.

This is the latest order granted under Section 34 of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014. A similar order was temporarily introduced last month in the city centre.

Dispersal orders allow police community support officers and police officers to direct a person to leave the area specified within the order “if they have reasonable grounds to suspect that their behaviour has caused, or is likely to cause, harassment, alarm or distress to members of the public.” Failure to comply with the order can result in arrest.