A DISPERSAL order has been put in place in Basingstoke town centre after two police officers were assaulted.

The order has been put in place following reports of repeated anti-social behaviour in the town centre and will remain in place until 10am on Saturday, 28 October.

Officers responded to reports of large groups of young people behaving in an anti-social manner in the town centre, with the latest incident taking place on Wednesday, 25 October.

In that incident, officers were called at 5.25pm to McDonalds in Market Place, the Top of The Town, to a report of a disturbance involving a large number of young people.

During the incident, two officers were assaulted, although they did not sustain injuries.

Two boys, a 13-year-old and 14-year-old, both from Basingstoke, were arrested in connection with this incident. They have been released from custody but remain under investigation.

The dispersal order is now in place and covers The Malls, Festival Place, and an area of the Top of The Town that is bordered by Cross Street, New Street, Winchester Street, London Street and New Road.

Sergeant Trevor Taylor, of Basingstoke’s neighbourhood policing team, said: “This dispersal order will help us deal with the current issues around repeated anti-social behaviour in the town centre.

“Young people found to be behaving in this way can expect to be told to leave the town centre and for their parents to be notified.

“We are working hard with local businesses and local partners to address these issues, but I would also like to remind parents to ask what their children are doing and remind to them what is responsible and considerate behaviour.”

Anyone who witnesses anti-social behaviour or large gatherings should call 101. If a crime is in progress, call 999.