AN Antisocial Behaviour Order aimed at preventing nuisance behaviour on the streets is set to be renewed alongside an Alcohol Free Zone in Wythall.

Police applied for the Section 30 Order - which gives them powers to disperse gangs of youths and escort loitering youngsters home - to be reinstated next month after "encouraging" results from the last order.

Wythall beat manager Pc Mark Townsend said during the three months the last order was in place, police saw an 18 per cent reduction in antisocial incidents.

Assaults had decreased by 66 per cent, criminal damage by 45 per cent and disorder in public places was reduced by 57 per cent.

"Considering this period covered the school holidays, the results are very encouraging," he said.

The order is likely to run alongside an alcohol-free zone, which is to be in place by mid-December and areas covered will mirror those included in the order.

Pc Townsend said: "We experienced 270 incidents of antisocial behaviour from the beginning of January to the middle of June and a residents' meeting convinced me the two needed to be run together."

Wythall Parish Council clerk Pat Harrison said: "None of this could have happened without the support of Wythall residents, who fought to improve their areas."