A dispersal order has been put in place in Colchester town centre to tackle anti-social behaviour until 6pm today.
The order was set up following concerns about youths congregating and gives police powers to order anyone to leave the area if they have reasonable grounds to believe the person is harassing residents or likely to be involved in crime or disorder.
The area covers the town centre bounded by Balkerne Hill, Westway, Cowdray Avenue, East Street, Priory Street, St Botolphs Street and Southway.
Breaching the order is a criminal offence and failure to comply could result in a fine or up to three months in prison.
Since the order started at 6pm on Friday, Essex police says it has asked five people to leave the area in connection with the order.
A girl and a boy, aged 13, were also arrested on suspicion of assault and breaching a dispersal order following a disturbance in Eld Lane at around 6pm yesterday. They remain in custody for questioning.
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