THE success of new antisocial behaviour legislation to disperse gangs in north east Redditch has prompted police to extend the powers to further areas in Redditch.

The Section 30 orders will take effect in Walkwood and Headless Cross from Tuesday and run until the end of July.

Police beat officer Pc Richard Waterhouse said: "It means we have powers to disperse groups of two or more people - whether they're youths or adults - and return those under 16 who are unsupervised and in a public place after 9pm to their homes.

"The powers can only be used in areas where the public has suffered intimidation, harassment, alarm or distress due to the presence of groups and where anti-social behaviour is a significant and persistent problem.

"We've been using these powers in Webheath, the north east of Redditch and Bromsgrove over the last few months and they've proved very successful.

"The aim is to prevent people from feeling frightened and discouraged from using public spaces because they feel threatened by groups hanging around.

"It also aims to protect children and young people from the risks of being unaccompanied on the streets late at night and the risk of older peers encouraging them to engage in drinking or criminal activities.

"I'm pleased Redditch Council has supported our application.

"It's important people feel they can relax and be safe and happy visiting shops and in their own homes."

The Walkwood order covers Tidbury Close and the underpass to Windmill Drive.

The Headless Cross order covers Evesham Road from the Mica Morris Hardware store to the junction with Headless Cross Drive, the shoppers' car park between Highfield Road and Headless Cross Drive and Highfield Road from Evesham Road to Headless Cross Drive, to encompass Headless Cross Drive underpass.

Also included are the shoppers' car park and area known as The Green opposite the Evesham Road shops.