POLICE are warning those who cause trouble in Pinehurst West that a dispersal order is still in force.

The Tree Courts estate suffered a spike in anti-social behaviour, assaults, criminal damage and other offences between April and early May, and even police cars and firefighters were targeted.

Wiltshire Police and Swindon Council secured the order in May, allowing officers to order groups to disperse or leave the area for 24 hours if they believe their presence or behaviour is causing, or like to cause, intimidation, harassment, alarm or distress.

And if anyone refuses, they can be arrested, taken to court, and could risk losing their home if they are a council tenant.

PC Peter Foster, new community beat manager for Pinehurst, said officers had already moved on several groups and wanted to remind people that they will continue the crackdown.

This will be during summer, when anti-social behaviour always rises due to the school holidays and warmer weather.

He said: “The vast majority of people, especially in their own community, want to go about their day in peace without fear of intimidation or crime.

“There is a small minority that don’t care about that and they will act in an intimidating or harassing manner, whether that be by drinking, swearing or causing vandalism, and we will look to robustly police that.

“They know we have got the dispersal order in place.

“If they are in a group of two or more people and causing anti-social behaviour then they will be given an order to move, either by a PC or a PCSO.

“And if they fail to do that or come back within 24 hours, they are liable for arrest and could find themselves before the courts.”

Police say the problems are caused by groups congregating near Liquor World convenience store, Dr Behr Court residential home and at the back of properties near the community park.

The problem is caused by children as young as four right up to adults in their mid-20s.

Another issue – adults being drunk, rowdy and sometimes disorderly in public – has dropped significantly since the dispersal order was imposed.

Police and the council have also taken other measures to tackle the problems, including increased police patrols, the installation of two extra CCTV cameras and possibly getting ASBOs and injunctions on certain individuals.

PC Foster called on the public to report any crime or anti-social behaviour.

He said: “We urge people to report criminal activity and anti-social behaviour because if they don’t we don’t know what the problems are and we can’t help.”

The order runs until November 6. To report an incident, call the police on 0845 408 7000.