Bexley Police Impose Section 35 Dispersal Zone in Blackfen 2026

Key Points

• Dispersal Powers Authorised: Police officers have been granted Section 35 dispersal powers across the Oval area in Blackfen, Bexley, to combat rising anti-social behaviour.
• Authorising Officer: The order was formally authorised by Metropolitan Police Inspector Gareth Evans in response to persistent local disturbance.
• Specific Boundary Defined: The designated dispersal perimeter covers all thoroughfares enclosed by Blackfen Road, Days Lane, Oaklands Avenue, Collindale Avenue, Rowley Avenue, and Harcourt Avenue.
• Violent Escalation: Recent incidents reported by local residents involve youths throwing masonry and eggs at passing vehicles and commercial shopfronts.
• Commercial Impact: The disorder caused direct physical damage and operational disruption, forcing at least one local business to shut its doors early.
• Enforcement Scope: Under the Section 35 order, police officers hold statutory powers to direct any individual suspected of causing nuisance or intent to cause disorder to leave the specified boundary immediately.

Blackfen (South London News) October 24, 2026 – A Section 35 dispersal order has been implemented across the Oval region of Blackfen in the London Borough of Bexley after law enforcement agencies received repeated reports of anti-social behaviour and youth-led disorder across local streets.

The emergency police measure gives uniformed officers statutory authority to command individuals or groups gathered within the defined territory to depart the zone immediately if they are suspected of causing crime, harassment, alarm, or distress to the public.

Why Has a Section 35 Dispersal Zone Been Put in Place in Bexley?

The dispersal zone was enacted directly following a string of escalations involving groups of youths targeting local transport infrastructure, commercial properties, and residential vehicles. According to official crime reports from police teams, recent disorder in the area involved individuals throwing dangerous objects, including masonry units and eggs, directly at motor vehicles and commercial premises.

The physical attacks resulted in property damage, heightened risks of road safety incidents, and severe economic disruption for community trading posts. The gravity of the disturbances culminated in a local business owner being forced to close trading operations early due to safety concerns for staff and customers amidst ongoing hostility from youth groups outside.

Which Exact Areas and Streets Fall Under the Bexley Dispersal Perimeter?

The dispersal zone spans a perimeter inside the Blackfen sector of the borough, explicitly encompassing the Oval shopping precinct and its surrounding residential streets.

The full list of bounded boundaries specified within the Section 35 authorization order includes:

• Blackfen Road
• Days Lane
• Oaklands Avenue
• Collindale Avenue
• Rowley Avenue
• Harcourt Avenue

Members of the public present within these named roads are subject to the temporary enforcement measures overseen by Metropolitan Police teams patrolling the perimeter.

What Powers Do Metropolitan Police Officers Hold Under Section 35 Powers?

Under the provisions of Section 35 of the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act, police constables and designated community support officers hold statutory powers to direct a person who is in a public place to leave the targeted locality. Officers can issue directives if they reasonably believe that the individual’s behaviour is contributing, or is likely to contribute, to anti-social behaviour, crime, or disorder within the boundary.

Directions issued under the order can restrict an individual from returning to the specified zone for up to 48 hours. Failing to comply with an officer’s direct command to disperse from the zone constitutes a criminal offence, which carries penalties including arrest, court prosecution, fines, or custodial detention depending on the circumstances.

What Has Law Enforcement Said Regarding the Bexley Anti-Social Behaviour Order?

Outlining the rationale for enacting the emergency measures, Metropolitan Police Inspector Gareth Evans delivered an official statement detailing the force’s response to community distress:

“This decision follows ongoing concerns regarding anti-social behaviour and low-level criminality involving groups of youths in the area.”

Inspector Evans emphasised that the implementation of statutory dispersal directives serves as an operational tool to break up disruptive gatherings proactively, prevent further damage to public and commercial property, and protect vulnerable residents and business operators from persistent intimidation.

Background of the Particular Development

Anti-social behaviour orders and temporal dispersal zones governed by Section 35 powers represent a standard operational response utilised by police forces across Greater London to mitigate localized disorder without resorting immediately to mass arrests. The Oval area in Blackfen, known for its residential density and local retail parade, has previously required police monitoring during high-volume youth gatherings.

Anti-social behaviour in suburban retail corridors often peaks during seasonal periods, causing significant strain on neighborhood policing units. By invoking statutory dispersal powers, police leadership aims to reassure local communities, re-establish safety around small businesses, and suppress low-level criminal acts—such as throwing projectiles or damaging property—before they escalate into serious violent offences or widespread civil disruption.

Prediction: How Will This Development Affect Local Residents and Businesses?

The implementation of the Section 35 dispersal zone will directly affect several key groups within the Blackfen and Bexley community over the course of its enforcement period:

• Local Retailers and Business Owners: Commercial operators within the Oval precinct can expect an immediate reduction in criminal disruption during operating hours. The presence of heightened police dispersal powers serves as a deterrent against intimidation, allowing shop owners to maintain normal operating schedules without the threat of premature closures or property damage caused by masonry projectiles.
• Residents and Commuters: Local homeowners and vehicle operators navigating Blackfen Road, Days Lane, and adjacent avenues will experience increased public safety and reduced risks of vehicle damage from thrown objects. However, law-abiding residents may notice an influx of visible uniform police patrols and occasional stop-and-account checks across the six named avenues.
• Young People in the Area: Groups of youths congregating in public spaces within the boundary face strict oversight. Even non-violent gatherings may be instructed by police officers to clear the area if officers determine that their presence risks contributing to anti-social behaviour or public anxiety. Non-compliance risks criminal record consequences for local youths caught failing to adhere to police dispersal instructions.