A DISPERSAL order which had been proposed for Tavistock town centre is to be shelved, following a drop in incidents of anti-social behaviour.

The Section 30 Dispersal Order was proposed following police concerns about violent incidents in town, arising from minor anti-social behaviour incidents.

The consultation period regarding the order ended in January — both Tavistock Town Council and West Devon Borough Council ward members backed the move.

But members of the town council's finance committee were last week told there had been a change of opinion regarding the need for the order.

John Ward, the anti-social behaviour officer for West Devon, said: 'I have spoken with Superindent Slevin, the local policing commander, in order to formally sign the dispersal order.

'She informed me that the situation in Tavistock had improved to the extent that the dispersal order was felt, for the time being, to be unnecessary.

'The police will continue to monitor the level of minor ASB within the town and may, if it is felt necessary, re-apply for such an order in the future.'

Mr Ward said the current dispersal order for Bedford Car Park still remained in force until May 31 this year, when it would be formally reviewed.

He said: 'The situation in the car park has much improved since the issuing of the dispersal order and other measures that were put into place.

'Having spoken with the superintendent, I feel that this is the most appropriate course of action, as the issuing of a dispersal order needs to be proportionate to the level of ASB that is occurring.'

Cllr Philip Sanders welcomed Mr Ward's comments.

He said: 'This is a very positive statement by the new superintendent. They're now saying they don't have any problems — it's a piece of good news and we should celebrate it.'