A WARNING has been fired out to youths wreaking anti-social behaviour in Stourport after a 17-year-old was banned from parts of the town.

Timothy Bower was the third Stourport teenager to have an Anti Social Behaviour Order slapped on him by Kidderminster Magistrates and Stourport PC Jon Harris said other young tearaways should learn from his experience.

He added police were in the process of preparing a fourth Stourport ASBO case, which they hoped would follow shortly, and would continue to tackle anti-social behaviour in Stourport.

The latest mandate, which lasts two years and was imposed on Friday, bars Bower from entering the western side of Bridge Street, including the Flamingo Amusement Arcade and the Rendezvous Caf between Engine Lane and the junction of York Street and New Street. He is also banned from entering the Stourport River Basin.

"This case was brought following 12 months of persistent anti-social behaviour including spitting, using foul language and intimidation," said PC Harris.

"Most of the victims were traders from amusement arcades and local shops in Bridge Street, which is why we have asked for restrictions in this area."

He added ASBOs were "extremely useful" tools in combating crime and disorder because they enabled police to gather evidence from a large number of victims.

"If this order is breached then we are able to arrest Timothy Bower and put him before the courts, where he could be sentenced for up to five years," he said.

"We will continue to tackle anti-social behaviour in Stourport and this should send out messages to those individuals who we are in contact with, be that through youth awareness letters or acceptable behaviour contracts, that they, too, could end up in court."

Bower is also banned from using or threatening violence towards anyone or encouraging anyone else to do so. This includes play fighting or acting in a manner likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress, including causing an obstruction, shouting, spitting, banging on any window and littering.

He is also prevented from drinking alcohol in a public place, except on licensed premises, in accordance with licensing law. He is also prohibited from smashing any glass bottles or other glass objects, using foul or abusive language or encouraging anyone else to do so.