Move on!

The area had been issued with a special dispersal order earlier this month, which came into effect on Saturday.

Officers were able to use the new order on the first day it was implemented.

Around 3pm on Saturday, they arrested a teenager who was suspected of committing an assault in April.

A group of his friends then became aggressive and other residents started gathering, resulting in a throng of about 50 people in the Limes Avenue area.

It is the second time this month police have had to deal with an angry mob. But in the latest incident, individuals risked arrest of they did not disperse.

Insp Willie Glasgow of Swindon police said: "It was the first day the dispersal order came into effect in Pinehurst.

"If the crowd had been allowed to hang around longer they would have caused more problems. The order enabled us to get them disbursed quickly.

"The dispersal orders have worked in other areas, resulting in a reduction of antisocial behaviour.

"We hope it will have an impact in Pinehurst as well, where residents have reported problems."

Pinehurst and Moredon were issued special dispersal orders earlier this month because of increasing anti-social behaviour.

Earlier this month, police came under attack from 60 youths when they were chasing two suspected car thieves.

Thugs hurled abuse and threw rocks at officers during a standoff in the Circle, Pinehurst, where they had been drinking outdoors because of the warm weather.

Stratton was the first to be placed under a dispersal order under the Antisocial Behaviour Act 2003 in March. This was followed by West Swindon in May.

The six-month order means that officers can break up groups of three or more people who are causing distress, alarm or harassment to residents.

It also allows officers to escort under-16s home between the hours of 9pm and 6am.

Streets to be covered by the order include Pinehurst Road, Cricklade Road, The Circle and Clive Parade.

Bhavani Vadde