DISPERSAL orders will be in place in Atherton and Leigh this weekend in a bid to tackle anti-social behaviour.

They give police officers and PCSOs the power to order people in a group of two or more to leave an area if they suspect their presence has resulted, or may result, in a member of the public being intimidated, harassed, alarmed or distressed.

The orders will effect the whole of Atherton from 6pm tonight, Friday, to 6pm on Sunday, and Parsonage Retail Park in Leigh from 8pm tonight to 8pm on Sunday.

Greater Manchester Police say the orders have been imposed in response to recent incidents of anti-social behaviour in the towns.

Dispersal orders are only permitted for 48 hours to address residents’ concerns.

Police hope they will make residents feel safer this weekend and help to prevent further acts of anti-social behaviour being committed.