UNRULY youngsters will be told to keep out of Barnoldswick following the introduction of new police powers.

Police in Barnoldswick have secured an Anti Social Behaviour Dispersal Zone to tackle community concerns in the town.

The dispersal order was agreed by councillors at the West Craven Committee and came into force yesterday (Thursday).

The order gives police the authority to take home anyone under 16 causing trouble after 9pm, and the power to disperse groups causing trouble in specified areas.

People can also be banned from returning to a certain area for 24 hours.

Police hope the powers will help them tackle juvenile nuisance.

Barnoldswick has one of the lowest crime levels in Lancashire, but over recent weeks residents have reported an increase in nuisance prompting police to take pre-emptive action before the problem escalates.

Areas included in the dispersal zone are Harper Street, Lower North Avenue, Wellhouse Street, Rook Street, Clough Park, Beech Street, Cobden Street, Calf Hall Road and Taylor Street.

Lancashire Constabulary's liaison officer, PC Karen Fitzpatrick, said: "Whilst crime in Barnoldswick is extremely low, we've been having a lot of complaints about anti-social behaviour in the area.

"Residents are concerned about large groups of youths gathering and causing a nuisance so we clearly had to take action.

"The Anti-Social Behaviour Dispersal Zone will give us the power to break up any large groups of youths who are causing a nuisance, which should hopefully help to address community concerns."