Unplanned event and Dispersal Order New Romney 31/10/26-01/11/2026

Unplanned event and Dispersal Order New Romney 31/10/26-01/11/2026

Hello all

Further to my last post just now regarding anti-social behaviour (ASB) we have discovered that an unplanned ‘Halloween’ event was advertised via social media to take place at 18:30 tomorrow (31st) on St Martin's Field New Romney.

My department, the Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT) have quickly responded to this and have managed to speak with a couple of individuals believed to be involved in the advertising of it and have told them that it must not go ahead as quite frankly you can't just put on an event on public land without applying through the correct channels.

The individuals concerned have been educated as to what you can and can't do with regards to public events, parties etc and have responded positively and I believe that a ‘cancellation’ message has been sent out via the same social media forums.

This post is to reinforce that message and also to make everyone aware that from 15:00 on 31/10/2026 to 22:00 on 01/11/2026 there will be a ‘Dispersal Order’ in place regardless of whether the event takes place if our instruction is ignored.

The order will be in place to prevent members of the public in the locality being harassed, alarmed or distressed, or the occurrence in the locality of crime or disorder.

If anyone who is within the area is suspected of committing the above, they will be given a ‘Direction to Leave’ notice by a Police Officer or Police Community Support Officer and must not return to the designated area within a set time which will be explained at the time but is likely to be to at least 22:00 on 01/11.

If the individual returns to that area within the timeframe, then they commit an offence and are at risk of being arrested.

Unfortunately, the vast majority of ASB in New Romney is caused by youths albeit a small minority of them, therefore parents/guardians please take note of this, especially if your child is going out with friends in the New Romney area over the weekend and you're not supervising them because they might get themselves into a situation where they are instructed to leave the area.

It is a great shame that we have had to put this Dispersal Order in place, but we've had no other choice.

Please see the Dispersal Area which is attached.

For anyone who thinks that they can cause ASB outside of the marked area on the map, you will still be dealt with!

ASB comes in different guises, but what we experience on the Marsh is normally committed by youths and just for clarity those under the age of 18, therefore the burden of responsibility really does fall on the parents/guardians not just the youths themselves.

I have kids and I know that you can't have eyes in the back of your head and I appreciate that you have to give them a certain amount of independence that is built with mutual trust but in New Romney and Lydd if your child is out and about without you especially from late afternoon until they return home at whatever their evening curfew is, and they should have a curfew not just when they decide to wander in, then they may well be up to no good and I really would like you all to have a talk with them and find out about where they go and what they get up to because you will likely know whether they are telling the truth or not.

We (the police) can't solve these ASB issues alone, we really do need the support of you parents and guardians, they are your children and therefore your responsibility.

James (PC Hockless) and I are more than happy to have your phone numbers so that we can contact you if we come across your children misbehaving or they are getting named for being responsible for ASB or criminality and that way we can nip it in the bud by asking you to come and get them or we will take them home, within reason because of course we can't become a taxi service but having that dialogue with you immediately can stop their behaviour instantly.

Thank you

Steve.

13183@kent.police.uk