Teenagers caught drinking in the streets will be frog-marched back home by police in a new crackdown on anti-social behaviour.

Officers now have the power to split up gangs of troublemakers found hanging around in Quarry Bank and Cradley Heath after securing a six-month dispersal order. Residents say they are being intimidated by groups of teenagers who gather in the towns and have also complained about under-age drinkers who are congregating in the streets.

Officers from the Lye Neighbourhood police team will now be sending letters to the parents of youngsters caught misbehaving or taking them back to their front doors.

They will also be confiscating and destroying any alcohol they find in the possession of under-age drinkers.

The order will cover High Street and Old High Street in Quarry Bank, and the surrounding roads, as well as roads in Cradley Heath, including all open spaces and the back of shops.

The move has been welcomed by Quarry Bank ward councillor Bryan Cotterill.

He said: “There is a lot of under-age drinking in the area and alcohol is a major cause of the misbehaviour and general disturbance these youths cause.”

Pc Gary Hall, of the Lye Neighbourhood Team, said: “The order was granted following numerous concerns from the local community about groups of youths intimidating residents and problems with anti social behaviour, including drinking.

“Officers will be sending letters to parents of youngsters who act in an anti-social manner or taking them back home to their parents.

“All alcohol taken from under age drinkers will be destroyed.

“We will also be running a dedicated operation to visit all off licences in the area to and issue them with advice and reminders about underage sales. “Our neighbourhood team is set on bringing back respect and stability back to the local area.”

The dispersal order will run until December 15.