INTERIM anti-social behaviour orders have ‘transformed’ Sussex Square after residents and shopkeepers were subjected to constant problems from a group of teenagers last year.

Since February, eight teens from Walcot have been subject to the orders, with another being imposed for Ryan Hammond in March.

The authorities pursued another against Shaun Kingsman, who was in custody last month, and is now subject to the same conditions as the nine despite protesting at Swindon Magistrates’ Court yesterday.

While the orders have so far been successful, police and the council have been granted a further three months for each of the young defendants.

As an olive branch, the council removed a condition preventing the group from associating with one another.

Now they will be banned from entering Sussex Square or the surrounding area, being in any street or public place within the area of Walcot in a group of four or more persons behaving in a manner likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress. They are also prohibited from shouting or swearing or acting in a threatening or abusive manner in the area of Walcot.

Francis Maples, prosecuting, told the court: “There is a history of quite serious anti-social behaviour which resulted in eight interim orders being made on February 10, before an additional order against Ryan Hammond the next month.

“The evidence is that since February 10 there has been a massive improvement. Before there were major problems, but what owners of the shops in Sussex Square are saying is that there has been a transformation as a result of the interim orders.

“There is a statement from PC Barnett at the youth club when some of the young people were asking about their ASBO conditions. It became clear the general consensus was because they had not breached the conditions, they would be lifted and they would return to the area.

“One said, ‘When I get off the ASBO I will go back to Sussex Square and shout, yes, we’re back.’

“It is agreed going back to where we were is not going to happen and not what the council or police want to see. My hope was that the court might be persuaded to make interim orders to run to September, that would cover the whole of the summer period. I am glad the position is really positive, but we could quickly be back at square one. It would be crazy to walk away after two months because things are somewhat better.”

Sam Arif, defending Daniel Thomas, Jay Lucas, Connor Moran, Ryan Hammond and Leon Thompson, said: “In respect of all five I would like to be in a position in three months’ time indicating there is no necessity for a full ASBO. They are making good progress and I hope that continues. All of them have agreed to abide by the conditions.”

Mark Glendenning, defending Calvin Coupe, Stephen Spelman and Jamie Skilton, said: “Clearly they are making good progress and there have been no breaches in respect of my clients.”

The order against Spencer Thompson was amended so he can work on a voluntary basis at Liquor World.

Shaun Kingsman contested his order, arguing he had done nothing wrong and it was unfair, as he had committed no offences since February, despite being in custody for 23 days in March.

The bench chose to accept the interim order on the basis he can enter Sussex Square if visiting his mother in Somerville Road.

Chairwoman of the bench, Linda Raine, said: “Keep out of trouble, keep up the way you have been doing and we are hoping you come back with some good reports for all of you.”

Thompson, 17, of Drakes Way, Coupe, 16, of Bouverie Avenue, Lucas, 16, of Darnley Close, Moran, 17, of Lennox Drive, Skilton, 16, of Queens Drive, Spelman, 18, of Edale Moor, Thomas, 17, of Frobisher Drive, Thompson, 15, of Shrewsbury Road, Hammond, 17, of Malmesbury Gardens, and 18-year-old Shaun Kingsman, will return to court for reports on July 14.