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Last Updated: Thursday, 12 August, 2004, 07:59 GMT 08:59 UK
Curfews lead to 40% fall in crime
Generic picture of teenagers in alley
Police say most youths are law abiding
Crime has fallen by 40% since police were granted extra powers to restrict the movement of young people in an area of Leicestershire.

Since May, police in Wigston have been allowed to break up groups of teenagers and escort unaccompanied under-16s home between 2100 BST and 0600 BST.

Police said since Operation Helium began there has been a large fall in criminal damage in the area.

Insp Martin Halse said people had told him they felt much safer.

Oadby and Wigston Borough Council granted the dispersal powers at a meeting in May.

They were introduced by the Home Office under the Anti-Social Behaviour Act.




SEE ALSO:
Police target intimidating youths
07 May 04  |  Leicestershire
Police powers passed by MSPs
05 May 04  |  Scotland
New powers to tackle youth crime
05 May 04  |  Bristol


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