Police in Harold Hill are hoping to take the fight against yobs and anti-social behaviour to the next level by using the latest powers handed down by the Government.

The successful Community Task Force is bidding to secure one of the first Designated Area orders in the capital, in a bid to combat the problem of nuisance youths.

Head of the task force, Insp Phil Walby, hopes to use the powers to force youths from the Briar Road estate and then plans to roll out the scheme across Harold Hill.

He told the Brentwood Gazette: "Designated Areas is part four of the new Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003 and it gives police more powers to deal with youths on the streets.

"It gives us the power to disperse large groups. The under 16s who are not under the supervision of an adult after 9pm, can be taken home if they live locally and anyone over 16 can be banned from the area for 24hours.

"If they return then they can be arrested by police officers or Community Support Officers - the only time when they have the power of arrest."

Insp Walby hopes to secure the first area next week and then plans to target the other known hot spots at Farnham Road shops and Petersfield Avenue.

He believes the designated areas powers will help police and local residents to break down the large groups of youths who congregate around Harold Hill.

He said: "If you've got a group of around 30 kids the first time you move in you will lose 10 straight away. Then the next time, when you take them home to mum and dad, you will lose another 10 who will get an earful. Eventually you will bring the numbers down so that they are manageable."

Published Thursday April 8, 2004

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