GROUND-breaking powers to tackle anti-social behaviour in Warndon have proved so successful police have not applied to continue using them.

Worcester Police were the first force in the country to use powers under the Anti-Social Behaviour Act to disperse gangs of troublemakers and order people under the age of 16 home after 9pm.

But now youth workers, police and councillors say the Section 30 order has worked to such an extent that much of the trouble seems to have disappeared.

Worcester City Council's community safety co-ordinator Tracy Reck said many of the difficulties appeared to have been resolved in the six months since the order was introduced.

"It's been a great success and the evidence for that has been drawn from what people in the community have been saying to us," she said.

"Six months ago, we had to publicise the order and youth workers went out into the community and explained it to young people.

"They have got into their heads how they should behave and, six months on, we have found that it has raised standards in Warndon."

Ms Reck said the order was not designed to continue indefinitely, but rather to be an example to young people about how they should behave.

"It's difficult to say what will happen next because it was the first order in the whole country so therefore it's the first to expire.

"It was only ever expected to be a short-term measure and the kids seem to understand now what the expected way of behaving is.

"We are continuing to watch the situation and seeing what's necessary but at the moment things have improved tenfold."

Under the order police had the power to disperse groups of more than two people if they decided they were causing intimidation, alarm, harassment or distress.

Warndon beat manager PC John McManus said: "The problems have stopped and so have the calls to the police, so the section 30 order does not have to be reintroduced."