THINGWALL has become the latest neighbourhood in Wirral to benefit from police measures to break up gangs of youths.

Designated areas, in force for three months, are designed to rid local communities of anti-social behaviour and will add to the existing areas across the Wirral where groups of youths are not allowed to congregate.

The powers under the Anti Social Behaviour Act mean that police officers can use the new powers to allow officers to move youths on and make arrests on those who return within 24 hours.

The zone, starting on Monday, will cover Barnston Road, Colemere Road, Howards Road, Mill Road, Pensby Road, Thingwall Road East including Warren Nurseries.

Police have taken the step to help them combat anti social behaviour in the area which has been causing distress and making life difficult for residents in the area. The designated areas were authorised by Merseyside Police with the support of Wirral Council's community safety team.

Neighbourhood Inspector Howard Fazakerley said: "We are making great inroads in the area in tackling anti social behaviour by targeting the areas identified in causing the most concern.

"This has been tremendously successful but there are still some youths who persist in acting anti-socially and their behaviour is just not acceptable. Like our colleagues across the Wirral we are determined to use every power available to us.''