A TROUBLED Ipswich estate could soon be subject to a dispersal order giving police extra powers to remove trouble-makers from the streets.

A TROUBLED Ipswich estate could soon be subject to a dispersal order giving police extra powers to remove trouble-makers from the streets, it was revealed today.

The Triangle estate, which includes Kelly Road, Dickens Road and Lavenham Road has been plagued by anti-social behaviour and criminal damage in the last few weeks and residents have told how they are too scared to leave their homes at night.

Police have stepped up patrols on the estate and youth workers have been deployed to try to divert youngsters away from yobbish behaviour but many residents have complained not enough is being done.

Ipswich MP Chris Mole has now joined forces with labour councillors in the area to try to persuade councils and the police to make the estate a dispersal area.

They visited the area on Saturday and spoke to residents about their concerns.

Peter Gardiner, borough councillor for the area, said: “Most people we spoke to thought that there was on-going anti-social behaviour despite the increased police presence over the past few weeks.

“Everyone we asked was in favour of a dispersal area.”

Police arrested one of the estate's troublemakers on Friday and hope this may help to dispel some of the problems.

The 17-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared at youth court in Ipswich on Tuesday and pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, driving whilst disqualified, failing to stop at the scene of a collision, two counts of theft, interference with a motor vehicle, criminal damage and driving without insurance. He was sentenced to 18 months in custody.

Police received reports he was on the estate on Friday evening. As they arrived at the scene, a police car was involved in a collision with the offenders' car but police said this was not deliberate from either party.

The conviction of the teenager may reduce the justification for implementing a dispersal order but if it does go ahead it will give police the power to move people on if they are causing a disturbance or a member of the public is being harassed, alarmed or distressed.

Officers would also be able to use discretionary powers to take under 16s home, or to a place of safety.

Has your life been affected by yobs on the Triangle estate? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk

Weblink:

www.suffolk.police.uk

A dispersal order is currently in place in the Queens Way, Kings Way and Shackleton Road area of east Ipswich.