Police have introduced street orders to combat anti-social behaviour by youths in a Staffordshire town.

Large parts of Hednesford have been designated as Section 30 zones.

The orders allow Staffordshire Police to move youngsters who are indulging in anti-social behaviour out of the designated areas.

Officers have joined with Cannock Chase Council to implement the Section 30 order under the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003 The Order came into effect last Saturday and runs through to 11.59pm on September 19.

Insp Pat Shannaghan, of Cannock police, said: “Not all young people are involved in anti-social behaviour.

“The powers which have been granted to police under the Anti Social Behaviour Act are a welcome addition and will help us target those who despite earlier interventions are continuing to cause harm to the wider community.”

The boundary of the Section 30 area starts at Rose Hill from the Samson Blewitt pub, across Rose Hill, up Corsican Drive including Buckthorn Close, Whitebark Close, and up to and including the junction of Stone Pine Close and Corsican Drive.

The order also covers Rose Hill to the junction of Pye Green Road, incorporating Rose Hill shops, Bond Way, Maycroft Close, Daisy Bank, Hedgerow Close and the wooded area bordering the rear of properties in Buckthorn Close, Corsican Drive and Stone Pine Close.

It covers the Pye Green Road, turning left on a public footpath next to number 128, Bond Way.

It then follows the path to the rear of Bond Way, turning left following the boundaries of properties on Maycroft Close and returning to Rose Hill via the Samson Blewitt pub.

Under the new legislation police officers have additional powers to take action against any persons acting or likely to act in an anti-social manner by directing them out of the designated areas.