A fresh crackdown on skateboarding and anti-social behaviour outside Firstsite is being launched to stop it increasing over the school holidays.

Colchester Council and Essex Police have teamed up to monitor the area more closely and have pledged to take a firm stance where needed.

Skateboarders have gathered outside the Lewis Gardens gallery since it opened in September 2011, leading the council to impose a ban seven months later.

In September 2013 the council then spent £10,000 installing 146 metal studs to stop skateboarders using the seats for tricks but some continue to gather there.

Over the past few months the police and council have been meeting to discuss the issue.