A dispersal order has been put in place in Southall to help tackle kerb-crawling, prostitution and other anti-social behaviour.

The order, which was jointly agreed by Ealing Council and police, covers the area to the North of Southall Station and takes in the main shopping areas of South Road and the High Street.

It means that police officers and PCSOs can ask anyone loitering in the area to move on. If someone remains after being told to leave, or returns within 24 hours and continues to cause anti-social behaviour, they can be fined up to £5000 and/or face three months’ in prison.

The dispersal order was introduced after police and the council’s Community Safety team received repeated reports about prostitutes working in the area and anti-social behaviour caused by large groups gathering outside betting shops and fast food outlets.

The action forms part of a series of partnership activities currently underway to improve the area for Southall residents.

Councillor Ranjit Dheer, cabinet member for Safer Communities, said: "This dispersal order is fully backed by the community as they are sick of kerb-crawlers, prostitutes and other people causing anti-social behaviour in their area."

"We are determined to work in partnership with our colleagues in the police to take tough action against people behaving badly and blighting the area."

Metropolitan Police Superintendent Ian Jenkins said: "Southall is a priority area for us and we’re keen to tackle the root causes of the problems. Putting in a dispersal order is one way to help manage the area, and this will be linked to other interventions such as working with the managers of bookmakers to get them to take a more responsible approach and help prevent their customers causing anti-social behaviour."