A DISPERSAL order has been introduced to help reduce antisocial behaviour in Tyldesley.

Greater Manchester Police - alongside Wigan Council - is implementing the order which applies to Astley Street Park and the surrounding area of Tyldesley town centre in the hope if improving life for people living nearby.

There has been an increase in reports of youth nuisance, criminal damage and alcohol-related problems in the area.

Inspector Liz Sanderson of the Wigan East Neighbourhood Policing Team said: "When dispersal orders have been used on previous occasions in the Wigan area they have proved to be very effective in reducing antisocial behaviour.

“After consulting with our partners and residents we believe this order is an essential part of our approach to tackling crime and disorder in these areas.

"It will only be used against youths and groups of people who are involved in, or are likely to be involved in, antisocial behaviour and is just one of a number of steps being taken to tackle this problem.”

Police will have the power to disperse groups of two or more people of any age who are hanging around on the streets or harassing and intimidating residents while the order is in place between October 8 and May 2.

Officers can escort home young people under 16 who are behaving antisocially and who are not in the company of a responsible person over 18 between 9pm and 6am as well as force people to leave an area for up to 24 or 48 hours and arrest them if they return within that time.

Inspector Sanderson added: "Tackling antisocial behaviour is a top priority for people in this area and experience tells us that dispersal orders can be effective in this situation.

“I would ask parents to make sure they know, as far as possible, where their children are going and what they are doing when they’re out and about.

“It is important that we all work together to deal with this problem.”