POLICE officers enforcing a Dispersal Order in a bid to tackle anti-social behaviour say the technique will be used again.

The order was enforced during the weekend of Friday, January 19 to Sunday, January 21 in Shildon town centre and led to one youth being taken home.

The order gives police the power to direct anyone to leave a designated area for a period of up to 48 hours, if they have reasonable grounds to suspect that the person’s behaviour has or is likely to contribute to members of the public being harassed, alarmed or distressed.

Officers carry the notices with them on patrol and give them out to those asked to leave the area.

Youths under 16 can be taken to their home address or a place of safety by officers and it is an offence not to comply with the order, which could lead to arrest and court action.

A spokesman said on Facebook: “Shildon Neighbourhood Police Team were out in numbers on all nights over this weekend, only one youth was taken home, no directions were issued, but during the period of the Order, there were no reported incidents of Anti-Social Behaviour.

“Do you know where, and what your children are getting up to on an evening?

“This tactic will be used again to stop anti-social behaviour in Shildon town centre.”