Troublesome youngsters could be banned from being in Aberdeen city centre for a day at a time – or face arrest.
Police want the power to send youths away from Union Street, the main shopping centres and the surrounding area for 24 hours.
A public consultation on the dispersal zone has now been launched, which has been prompted by growing problems with antisocial behaviour in the city centre.
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Officers have identified a “core few” who are “intent on causing harm”, and say the situation is made all the more challenging because the group ranges in age between 12-20.
Groups of youngsters are coming from as far away as Peterhead, Ellon, Banchory and Inverurie to congregate in the city.
Last month, a brawl broke out involving 30 youths in the city centre.
Just days later, three young people – including a 15-year-old boy – were charged in connection with an attempted murder on Union Terrace, which was witnessed by singer Eddi Reader who was playing at the Music Hall that evening.
Under the dispersal order – which would be in place for three months – officers would be able to order groups of two or more to leave the area between 12pm and midnight.
Children caught back there would be reported to the youth justice management unit, but adults could face a £2,500 fine or a three month custodial sentence.
Inspector Vicky Stables said: “This is to break the cycle of offending.
“This is for those intent on causing harm – those are going about in an intimidating manner.
“Those who come to the city centre legitimately and behave in a perfectly normal manner will not be targeted.
“Just because you’re in a group of five or six does not mean you will be asked to leave.”
Such drastic measures have only been used twice in Aberdeen before – to tackle antisocial driving at the Beach Boulevard in 2005 and youth offending in Torry in 2011.
It would give police the power to order groups of young people behaving antisocially to leave the area unless they live there, and not return for 24 hours.
Police would try to divert youngsters to other activities and partners – such as social workers or the Streetsport youth sport sessions across Aberdeen.
The proposed area to be zoned off is much larger this time – but officers say otherwise they would risk simply “moving the problem along” to another city centre spot outside of it.
Insp Stables added: “It is quite a significant area – we’re conscious of that.
“We’ve taken in all the hotspots because we were aware groups could just move on to the likes of the Castlegate or Marischal Square otherwise.
“It was effective in Torry – used in line with other interventions.”
Former Aberdeen police chief Adrian Watson, who brought in those previous dispersal orders, said: “Some might see this as draconian – it’s not.
“It will be proportionate and balanced, and it will address the issue.
“Why should the majority suffer?
“But this problem isn’t police property – there are folk better placed than the criminal justice system to deal with some of these people.”
Now chief executive of business organisation Aberdeen Inspired, Mr Watson said he supported the proposal. Police said other businesses have also been broadly supportive.
Police are empowered to impose the dispersal zone – if they can show the public backs the idea through consultation.
Views can be submitted until 12pm on May 17, either by calling 101 or e-mailing AberdeenCityCentreCPT@scotland.pnn.police.uk
