AFTER an evening of public disorder in Tilbury, police have responded by putting a dispersal order in place tonight (Wednesday 29 July).

The decision came after reports of a large group of people acting anti-socially and causing criminal damage. The alarm was raised about 9pm following a disturbance in a car park in Lansdowne Road and information that some vehicles may have been damaged.

Police moved in to move groups of people away from the area.

The order will run until 10pm tomorrow and it covers Dock Road, including the train station, Calcutta Road, Dunlop Road, Lansdowne Road, Lansdowne Court, Toronto Road, Albany Road, Ellerman Road, Church Road, Sycamore Close and Adelaide Road.

Inspector Rebecca Lee, of Grays Local Policing Team, said: "We have quickly acted to implement this dispersal order, which will give us the powers to move people away from the area.

"We will not tolerate this kind of behaviour and any offences will be investigated.

"If you're thinking about coming down to the area, don't, you'll be identified and you'll be moved away."

The order gives officers the power to direct anyone in that area to leave and not to return for the period of the order.

If they return to the area within the 24-hour period, they may be arrested or receive a large fine.

Anyone with information is asked to call Grays police station on 101 quoting incident 1159 of 29/07 or you can report information by visiting www.essex.police.uk.

Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.