POLICE have launched an operation to crack down on disorder and antisocial behaviour in the Hopkins Precinct area after complaints from residents and shopkeepers.

Groups of up to 60 youths gather in and around the precinct intimidating shoppers and staff with their activities, with 55 incidents reported to the police.

Operation Festoon will see an increase in the number of police officers on patrol and they will be using a series of tougher measures in a bid to restore order.

These include handing out £80 fixed penalty notices to anyone aged over 16 who is causing an offence and stepping up Operation Guardian, which is a series of warnings which could eventually lead to antisocial behaviour orders being served.

Police are also negotiating with Stratford District Council over the implementation of dispersal orders which would allow them to break up gangs if they suspect there may be a problem.

The move follows a meeting called by the owners of Hopkins Precinct, Alcester Property Services Ltd, and some shopkeepers with police and council officials.

Insp Tim Bailey said: "There has been an increase in incidents of antisocial behaviour and disorder in that area.

"It would seem to be large groups of young people who congregate under the sheltered area in the late afternoon and early evening.

"Some are there to play football, some are not, but they are clearly an annoyance to people who are trying to shop and those who live there.

"We have listened carefully to what they have to say and in conjunction with other agencies, are planning to take action."

One area to be looked at is the reinstatement of a youth outreach worker, a move supported by the town council.

Pc Steve Timms told councillors last week a long-term solution needed to be found.

"We will always have youth and even if we sort out these problems, there will be others coming along. We need to sort it out now, rather than have it re-occur in a couple of years' time.

"There is organised youth activity if people want it but is always going to be the case that some don't want to use it."

Pc Timms added: "They need to go somewhere and we need to involve them as well.

"If you provide some super dooper thing and there's no involvement or ownership in it, they are not going to use it or they are going to vandalise it."

Rotary International has submitted a planning application to erect a fence and gates around its nearby headquarters because of vandalism and the Greig Centre has spent hundreds of pounds on repairs.