THERE are now virtually no calls being made to police about yob disorder in four areas of Redditch where a zero tolerance policy has been in force.

New powers under the Antisocial Behaviour Act, called Section 30 Orders, have been enforced in Church Hill and Winyates Centres, Linton Close and Mews in Winyates and Exhall Close in Church Hill.

The new law allows police to disperse gangs of youths and escort loitering youngsters home.

A fifth Section 30 Order has now come into force around RZ Supermarket and the underpass leading to the shop in Costers Lane, Winyates.

Sgt Neil Billingham, of north east police sector, said: "The other four Section 30 Orders have cut the calls about disorder to almost nil.

"We were getting on average 20-30 calls a week for certain areas.

"We will continue with the approach that we will not tolerate antisocial behaviour and hope to reduce the overall number of calls to the police about antisocial behaviour."

He added: "This new order in and around RZ supermarket came into force from Wednesday and will remain in place until August 12.

"It means any youngsters found around the shop and underpass after 9pm can be taken home and groups or individuals are not allowed to return to the area for the next 24 hours.

"We can only use these orders in places where we know there is a problem with antisocial behaviour so it's important people who are suffering contact us and their calls can be logged."