A dispersal order has been issued by police in an area of Epsom from Thursday to Saturday this week.

The order covers the Christ Church Road area due to a pattern of increasing anti-social behaviour around the time of the anniversary of the death of a local boy in 2018.

Police say they have previously seen young groups excessively drinking, using drugs and aiming fireworks at the public and vehicles.

Thursday, October 11 marks the anniversary and the order will therefore be in place from 3pm on Thursday to 1am on Saturday, October 23.

Police say they will be supporting those who wish to come together to pay their respects, and will not tolerate anti-social behaviour.

The dispersal order under Section 34 of the Anti-Social Behaviour Act gives police the power to ask a group of two or more people to leave the dispersal area if they are committing anti-social behaviour, or if it is believed that they may, or are likely to, cause a nuisance to someone else.

Epsom and Ewell Borough Commander, Inspector Jon Vale, said: “We respect those who want to remember their loved one on this difficult day and we’ve made sure they will still be able to hold a memorial event.

"We’ve put this order in place from 3pm to protect our local community and prevent the disorder that’s occurred over the past few years.

"Previously we’ve seen groups of young people behaving disruptively through excessive drinking and use of drugs, and they have also aimed fireworks at the public and vehicles.

"Additional patrols will be in the area during these times.”

Officers are urging members of the pubblic to report any ASB incidents through private message on social media or on the Surrey Police website.

Call 999 in an emergency.