COMPLAINTS about anti-social behaviour have plummeted in Winyates after police were given powers to move on gangs of youths.
More than 30 reports of unruly behaviour in Leysters Close and Tillington Close were recorded by West Mercia Police at the start of May.
But just four weeks after a dispersal order was introduced, complaints about criminal damage, arson, shouting and swearing dropped to only four.
The Section 30 Dispersal Order allows officers to break-up groups of two or more people causing problems and has resulted in five warnings being issued to youngsters as well as one youth caution.
Officers are also working with Redditch Borough Council to address problems caused by one tenant in particular, where the person has agreed to an anti-social behaviour contract.
Sgt Neil Billingham, from the Winyates Safer Neighbourhood Team, said they would continue to patrol the area and monitor the situation.
“A group of young people there thought that we were issuing empty threats by putting this order in place and set out to test our resolve.
“However as soon as they realised we meant business the problems started to dry up. Anti-social behaviour such as the kind complained of in this instance should not and will not be tolerated.
“Certainly the feedback we have had from residents indicates things are a lot quieter now and they are grateful for the action we and the council have taken.
“This one at Winyates has been a big success and it shows the value of having a tool like this in the armoury.”
