AREAS of Liden and Royal Wootton Bassett became no-go zones for groups of youths throughout the weekend after persistent public order offences led police to take more drastic measures.

Temporary dispersal orders were granted for specific areas in the east of Swindon and Wootton Bassett on Friday evening and remained in place until Sunday, with police able to use their powers to arrest anyone over the age of 10 who refused to comply.

In Liden, there have been a number of reports of a large group of youths, not local to the area, joyriding motorbikes around Dickens Close, Upfield and Boldrewood.

PC Rachel Barnett, of the East Swindon neighbourhood policing team, said: “Due to a large group of youths causing problems in the Liden area a dispersal order was in place for 48 hours.

“Any person who refused to leave on being directed to do so, or returned before the 48-hour ban expired, would be arrested.

“We have had issues reported involving motorbikes being ridden across pavements and grass areas repeatedly, in the area of Dickens Close, Upfield and Boldrewood.

“We have identified a large group of youths who are not local to Liden who are causing noise nuisance also and are connected to the motorbike riding.”

Police were also keeping an eye on Wootton Bassett High Street after imposing a similar order when attempts to reach out to troublesome teenagers failed.

A spokesman for Wiltshire Police said: “Following an increase recently in anti-social behaviour on the High Street, Wood Street and areas of Boroughfields, we have been granted a temporary section 35 direction to leave locality notice.”

The order began at 10.30pm on Friday night and ran through until yesterday evening.

“We have had to take this unusual step due to an increase in anti-social behaviour even though we tried working with the youths involved,” said the spokesman.

“We have had to inform parents that their children are involved and had to arrest or invite some youths and their parents into the station to deal with offences of criminal damage, possession of cannabis, possession of an offensive weapon and public order offences. The town’s CCTV operators will be aware of this notice and individuals issued with notices and will be able to help us prove any breaches should they occur.”

Residents in the areas of Liden and Royal Wootton Bassett are urged to contact their neighbourhood policing team on 101 if the problems persist.