Police have issued a dispersal order ‘to clampdown on anti-social behaviour’ in the Hamble Quay area after teenagers smashed a lifeboat and jumped into dangerous waters.

Officers from Hedge End’s Neighbourhood Policing Team have set up a dispersal order in order to ‘clampdown on anti-social behaviour and crime in the Hamble Quay area’ police have said.

The dispersal order covers Hamble Quay and the foreshore area. It gives police the power to disperse people involved in anti-social behaviour out of the Hamble Quay area.

This order comes after police in Hamble issued a warning on social media, saying the water contains "high level of e-coli bacteria, sewage and hidden objects".

On Monday last week, July 29, children also vandalised a lifeboat on the River Hamble.

The dispersal order will be in place between 1pm today, August 6, for 48 hours until 1pm on Thursday, August 8.

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Those under 16 will be dispersed from the area by police, details taken and follow-up work will be done with parents.

The order also gives officers the power to seize anything used in the commission of anti-social behaviour.

Sergeant Suzanne Badham said: “We know that anti-social behaviour has a negative impact on those living and working in the local area – especially during this time of year with warmer weather and the school holidays.

“We are not trying to stop people – especially young people – from having fun in these areas, but we must balance this with the wider community concerns around threatening and intimidating behaviour.

“Anyone who witnesses anti-social behaviour or large gatherings of people causing a nuisance should call 101.”