Police plan dispersal after weekend disorder

Police plan to bring in another dispersal order to part of Surrey following widespread disorder last weekend.

Chaotic scenes of anti-social behaviour caused "disruption and concern" across Elmbridge last weekend by people using horses and traps, Surrey Police said.

A group of about 50 were first spotted in Esher at about 13.30 BST on 12 April, before they moved on to areas including Hampton Court, Bushy Park, Molesey, Hersham, Sunbury-on-Thames and Walton, and grew to about 150 people.

On social media people reported seeing groups of horses and traps racing each other and multiple riders driving through red lights, with cars swerving to avoid them.

Videos on social media also showed horses and traps weaving in between traffic in procession.

Surrey Police said its investigations into the disorder, which prompted the force to impose a 24-hour dispersal order for the whole of Elmbridge borough, were being progressed "as a matter of urgency".

The force said officers were investigating reports of alleged offences including criminal damage, assault occasioning ABH, one report of animal cruelty, two reports of public order offences and one of common assault and theft.

Meanwhile, police said a dispersal order to tackle "youth-related anti-social behaviour" will be imposed in Walton town centre this weekend, from 06:00 BST on Friday to 06:00 Tuesday 22 April.

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