This is how police are tackling gangs in Coventry city centre

Coventry's top cop says the ability to move people on who could cause trouble is a "very useful tool" in the fight against violence in the city.

One such dispersal order was put in place following the stabbing of a 15-year-old boy in the city centre on Sunday, February 2.

This meant officers could move on any groups hanging around in the city centre if it’s suspected they could be a crime or anti-social behaviour threat.

If those moved along came back, then they faced possibly being arrested.

The teenager was found with knife injuries to his leg and lower torso in Trinity Street shortly before 6pm and was taken to hospital.

His injuries were not life-changing and he was released from hospital just hours later.

Dispersal orders are not a new action that police can take, however they aren't always used.

So we asked the Commander of Coventry Police, Chief Superintendent Mike O'Hara, why one was used on Sunday and what came of it.

The new Head of Policing for Coventry, Mike O'Hara. — Commander of Coventry Police, Mike O'Hara.

Here's what we asked Chf Supt O'Hara and what he had to say

Q:Why was this stabbing deemed serious enough to put the dispersal order in place?

A: The stabbing was deemed serious enough by the duty Inspector on the evening to put the order in place, due to the fact that groups were congregating in the area.

The groups soon dispersed following increased police presence in the area.

Q:Was the order actually used by officers on Sunday or Monday to move anyone along or did it result in any arrests?

A: I cannot confirm at this stage the specific details of the use of the order, however, previous use of the dispersal power has proven very effective in removing problematic individuals from the city centre and preventing potential issues.

Officers have utilised search powers on numerous individuals in the area resulting in a drugs arrest.

Q: Is the use of dispersal orders something you are now considering using more often in the wake of incidents like this?

A: The use of the dispersal power is a very useful tool for officers in dealing with groups of youths when they feel that the criteria apply and the St Michaels team use this power relatively regularly.

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Click on the icon top left on the interactive map below which charts violent incidents across Coventry since January 2018:

New police powers

City centre officers could soon get even more powers to move tackle rising gang and knife violence thanks to a new Public Space Protection Order (PSPO).

The PSPO has been proposed by Coventry City Council and would allow police to move on groups of two or more who are behaving in an anti-social manner.

There would then be a fixed penalty of £100 for anyone who breaches the order, reduced to £60 if paid within 14 days.

Violent crime stories

Anyone with information on the Trinity Street stabbing is asked to call West Midlands Police om 101, quoting incident 1972 of February 2, or use the force's Live Chat between 8am and midnight at www.west-midlands.police.uk.

Details can also be given anonymously via the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or visit www.crimestoppers-uk.org.