Derbyshire Police says it is sharing information about the dispersal order which is currently in place in Swadlincote - and answering queries about knife crime education in reply to questions received from local residents.

A Section 34 dispersal order came into force in the town at 4pm yesterday and runs until 4pm on Friday 18 June.

The order allows police to disperse people from parts of Swadlincote, and if they are involved in instances of anti-social behaviour, take anyone under 16 back to their home.

A dispersal order can only be authorised for a maximum period of 48 hours - but at the point of expiry, the police will carry out an assessment and a further period of up to 48 hours can be authorised if necessary.

A spokesperson for Derbyshire Police said: "Some residents have voiced concerns that people wishing to cause trouble in the town may simply move to areas not covered by the order.

"Rest assured that if we feel there is a risk within other areas, we will consider introducing dispersal orders to those areas too.

"If we have specific information to suggest someone is planning to become involved in any act of violence, we will take action to disrupt this.

"Parents have asked us if we are engaging with schools in the area about knife crime and we are.

"There is a rolling programme of knife crime education in schools across the county and many young people in South Derbyshire have already participated in this.

"This type of education is not only delivered by the police.

"Parents should contact their schools directly as schools may have plans in place already.

"We have also been asked whether stop searches are being carried out. Section one of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 give police constables the power to stop and search anyone in a public place where the officer has reasonable grounds to suspect that certain prohibited items – in this case weapons – will be found.

"The officer will relay the grounds for the search to the person being searched, which will be specific to those individual circumstances.

"Stop and search is a useful tool and we will use it in line with the legislation.

"We have increased patrols in the town so if you see our officers and you want to speak to them, please stop them for a chat."