A GROUP of youths who have been hanging around outside old people's bungalows has sparked tough action from police in Highworth.

Gangs of up to 30 people have been intimidating people in the town outside homes, shops and the youth centre in Newburgh Place.

A six-month dispersal order is being brought in to tackle yobbish behaviour.

The order, which comes into force on Monday, means police officers can break up any group of two or more people if they are causing, or are likely to cause, intimidation, harassment, alarm or distress. And anyone who does not comply can be arrested.

Residents who have felt intimidated by gangs complained to police that they wanted something done to make the area feel safer.

PC Martin Miles, from Highworth police, said: "Youths have been gathering around cashpoints, outside front door areas, running in out of shops, as well as causing damage to vehicles and shop windows. This type of behaviour is clearly unacceptable and will not be tolerated.

"The order will be rigorously enforced to move troublemakers out of the area."

Highworth's Mayor Steve Weisinger, said: "I feel this is the best way to stop the few children who are causing problems.

"Wherever you live there will always be some people who cause trouble whether they be young or old. I think residents living in this area will be pleased that something is being done but when the order does come into effect we will have another problem because they will move on somewhere else."

But Coun Anthony Peake (Con, Highworth), said: "I think it's very sad that it's come to the fact that a dispersal order will be placed outside a youth centre but residents have a problem and so far this seems to be the only way to deal with it."

The order will last until November 7, covering the following areas: Newburgh Place, including the shops, pavement area immediately in front of the shops, any pedestrian footpath and any open public space, including the grass area next to the junction of and including St Michaels Avenue to the junction of Station Road, Station Road to the junction of Quarry Crescent, Quarry Crescent, including any grass areas, pedestrian footpath and thoroughfare and around the rear of the doctor's surgery, including the car park and youth club.