OFFICERS have enacted emergency powers to disperse people around a shopping centre in North Hampshire this weekend.

Hampshire Police will be able to ask anybody to leave part of Fleet, around the Hart District Council offices and Hart Shopping Centre.

Basingstoke Gazette:

It will be in force from 8pm tonight (Saturday) until 5am tomorrow (Sunday). The order was also in force for the same time last night.

Powers were granted after reports of anti-social behaviour in the area, particularly in the specified times, Hampshire Constabulary told The Gazette.

Officially called a section 34 order, it gives officers permission to ask anybody in the affected area to leave between the listed times.

Powers must be authorised by the neighbourhood inspector, and often come in response to reports of anti-social behaviour.

A section 34 order was also put in place in Church Crookham at the end of last month.

It came after reports of anti-social behaviour around two parks in the village.