RESIDENTS and councillors in Worcester have welcomed tough new measures to combat anti-social behaviour in the area.

Police officers were out on the streets last night as the force introduced its new enforcement powers, which includes dispersing gangs of youths and troublemakers in designated trouble spots.

The measures under the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003 have been introduced in 15 areas in Warndon Villages.

The news comes after residents have bombarded police with complaints about the intimidating behaviour of groups, especially youngsters.

The situation came to a head in April when a resident at a council meeting threatened that villagers would take vigilante action if nothing was done to solve the problem.

Worcester city councillor Ian Imray, of St Martin ward, gave a big thumbs-up to the new move and said it would be a huge to help residents.

"Anything to make the streets safer and improve the quality of life for residents must be welcomed," he said.

"There will have to be a co-ordinated approach with all agencies involved," he said.

He was eager to point out that it was only a small minority of youngsters in the area behaving anti-socially.

"Certain groups of youngsters do create problems but the majority create no problem at all."

Worcester city councillor Martin Clarke, also of St Martin ward, believed anti-social behaviour was an increasing problem in Warndon and Warndon Villages and welcomed the new scheme.

"It's difficult to know how to handle the problem," he said.

"The police are busier and busier therefore need these additional powers."

He also applauded the work of the Anti-Social Behaviour Detached Team, which has been working as part of the Safer Worcester Partnership.

The team is part of the city council and works with local police to resolve neighbourhood disputes, many of which involve youngsters.

He said that residents were often disheartened if the police were unable to attend incidents and the team was able to act as a middleman to intervene and resolve some disputes.