POLICE are to have the power to break up gangs of louts who are terrorising shoppers in Toothill and Freshbrook.

Two dispersal orders covering village centres in both areas come into effect this weekend.

Police hope the orders will reverse a worrying surge in violent and unruly behaviour in the areas designed to be the centre of the community.

Gangs of up to 40 youths aged from around 11 to 17 have effectively turned the two shopping areas into no-go zones at night.

Yobs have been spitting at customers, jumping on cars, swearing and abusing passers-by and in some cases assaulting people.

PC Paul Phelps, beat officer for Toothill, said: "The trouble started around April time, with the lighter evenings.

"I think the problems have been worse in Freshbrook.

"People have come out of the pub to find youths sitting on their cars, and have been attacked when they ask them to get off.

"The motorists may be a lot older than these kids, but when there are 40 of them it is a real problem.

"The perception is that people don't want to go to these areas after 9pm.

"We also believe these orders will prevent the problems of drink and drug taking in these area."

Last month, the Advertiser revealed how heroin dealers were targeting Toothill Village Centre.

The orders are specifically designed to allow the police to crackdown on petty crime and anti-social behaviour.

They mean officers can demand that a group of more than two people disperse from a particular location.

If anyone returns, they face arrest.

In addition, unsupervised children under 16 found in the areas after 9pm can be taken home.

The order comes into force on Saturday and will remain active for six months.

Orders issued under the Antisocial Behaviour Act 2003 - have proved successful in Pinehurst, Moredon, Stratton and West Swindon.

Police used the Pinehurst order on the first day it was implemented to disperse 50 youngsters from the Limes Avenue area.

The gang became aggressive following the arrest of a 14- year-old boy.

Tamash Lal