Orders will tackle yob behaviour

Officers were responding to complaints by residents, said police

Police have issued two dispersal orders in North Worcestershire to combat anti-social behaviour.

The first covers four roads in Catshill, the first order issued in North Bromsgrove, the second has been granted for Wythall.

Both orders run from March until June and allow officers to disperse youths intimidating or harassing others.

West Mercia Police said the orders were in response to concerns raised by residents in both areas.

The order in Catshill covers Bourne Avenue, Chadcote Way, Woodrow Close and Springs Avenue, it runs for three months from 12 March.

'Affects quality of life'

The Wythall order covers 22 streets around Truemans Heath Lane and Shawhurst Lane from 5 March for three months.

The orders enable officers to take home any person under the age of 16 between 2100 and 0600 GMT, they can be arrested if they fail to comply.

Youths had been causing problems in the Catshill area throwing stones at homes and vehicles as well as knocking on doors, police said.

Residents in Wythall had complained to police about youths congregating around the Drakes Cross shops along with other residential areas and harassing shop staff as well as other people.

Sgt Nick Husbands said: "This kind of behaviour which affects other people's quality of life is clearly unacceptable.

"The dispersal order demonstrates that we are taking residents' concerns seriously and doing something about the problem."