Stroud man Matthew Thorley receives anti-social behaviour injunction

The civil injunction was brought against Matthew Thorley by Solace, a joint team of officers from Gloucestershire Constabulary, Gloucester City Council and Cheltenham Borough Council, which is currently being piloted in the Stroud district.

A court hearing took place at the County Court at Gloucester and Cheltenham on Tuesday, July 11 and the year-long extension and amendments to the injunction were granted.

It means Thorley is forbidden, whether by himself or encouraging or permitting any other person, from: 

• Engaging in conduct which causes or is capable of causing alarm, harassment or distress to any person within the district of Stroud, Gloucestershire. 
• Using or threatening to use violence against any person in the district of Stroud. 
• Without reasonable excuse, approaching, following or contacting any female at any time within Gloucestershire, in a manner which was likely to cause them harassment, alarm or distress. 
• Entering or being in the area of the Stroud water canal (including the adjoining Thames and Severn Canal) and adjoining tow path between Greenaways, Ebley and Butterow Hill, Stroud.

The injunction, which has a power of arrest, will remain in place until July 1 2024 and anyone who witnesses any breaches is asked to call police on 101 or to report information online. 

Neighbourhood policing inspector Paul Cruise said: "The Stroud and Dursley Neighbourhood Policing Team is dedicated to keeping our communities safe.

"As part of this we will look at any measures which are available to us in order to tackle and reduce persistent unacceptable behaviour."

Solace is a joined-up approach to tackling anti-social behaviour, and Stroud District Council is the latest authority to join the initiative. 

It means all of Gloucestershire's six local councils are now committed to the multi-agency approach.