GANGS of youths have recently started to gather in Winyates Centre again, prompting police to reinstate an order which allows officers to disperse the groups and escort loitering youngsters home.

New antisocial behaviour legislation was invoked at the centre in March to stop gangs hanging around but the Section 30 Order ran out in May.

Sgt Neil Billingham, of north east sector, said there were some awnings over the shop fronts in the centre which provided a dry, well-lit gathering place.

He said: "Youngsters are beginning to gather in these areas again and I want to be able to disperse them before they start to intimidate people or possibly get involved in crime.

"I hope that by placing the order, this will not only reduce the fear of crime but may well cut crime itself in the area.

''Antisocial behaviour will not be tolerated and we are working with the council to combat similar problems with a whole range of measures in other areas."

The new legislation means the police have the powers to disperse groups of two or more and return young unsupervised people under 16, who are in a public place after 9pm, to their homes.

When the order was in place, police received just one call about antisocial behaviour in Winyates Centre.

"During the time the legislation was in place, there was also no evidence to suggest the youngsters had simply moved to another area so we considered it to be a success and an effective tool to combat antisocial behaviour in our smaller shopping centres," said Sgt Billingham.