Ball bearing fired through window and assault at Bransgore Co-op among disturbances that prompt police dispersal order

A BALL bearing fired through a convenience store’s window and an assault outside were among disturbances that prompted a dispersal order in Bransgore.

Police activated the 48-hour order for the village and Thorney Hill under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 just before 10.30am this morning (Monday).

It empowers officers to order a person to leave the area with no return within the specified time period and arrest those who refuse to comply.

Those aged under 16 will be taken to their home address, and follow-up work will be done with parents.

This follows a recent increase in anti-social behaviour and offences in the area, including a string of vandalism in which ball bearings were fired from slingshots.

Officers were alerted to two disturbances that took place at the Co-op branch in Betsy Lane within an hour-and-a-half of each other on Saturday evening.

The alarm was first raised at 5.50pm when three men from a black Kia Sorrento were said to have chased another man into the store.

During the incident, one of the trio fired a ball bearing from a catapult, breaking a window as a result.

Then another call at 7.20pm reported the same type of vehicle involved in a collision with a grey Vauxhall Astra outside the store.

This time, two men were said to have got out of the Kia and damaged the Astra with a crowbar and assaulted a male passenger.

The A&T has contacted the Co-op for a statement on the incidents, which it is understood led to the branch being closed yesterday (Sunday).

Hampshire officers are urging witnesses to either incident to come forward.

Insp. Darren Ord said: “We are aware that there is a great deal of local concern following these incidents, and we want to assure our communities that we will be robust and pro-active in dealing with these issues.

“We know it is only a small number of people involved in this behaviour, but even so the impacts are far reaching and have a negative impact on the lives of local residents.

“Our officers will be conducting high-visibility patrols for reassurance as well as disruption.”

Anyone with information about the Co-op disturbances should contact police online at bit.ly/2E5B0mq or by calling 101, quoting crime reference number 44230088958. Crimestoppers can also be called anonymously on 0800 555 111.

People are also urged to get in touch about any other crime or anti-social behaviour incidents, but 999 should be dialled if a crime is in progress.