Bradley Stoke is to be subject to a dispersal zone after police revealed they have been receiving more than 20 complaints a month from Bradley Stoke residents.

Recently, we exclusively reported about a running battle between 100 youths near Bailey’s Court Pub.

Now Avon and Somerset Police and Bradley Stoke Town Council have agreed on the zone which will allow officers to break up any groups of youths and send them home.

Police officers will also be able to order people who don’t live in Bradley Stoke not to come back.

Under the terms of the dispersal order, youths under the age of 16 will not be allowed out after 9pm unless they “are under the effective control of a parent or responsible person over the age of 18″.

The areas included in the zone are Savages Wood, Baileys Court and the Jubilee Centre.

One flaspoint for youths, the Braydon Avenue underpass, is also included in the dispersal zone.

Police Community Support Officer Jason Green has posted the exact terms of the order on our community forum where he is also asking for views on the plan.

PCSO Green has added that the order will be “used in a sensible way” and will “only target the people who are causing or likely to cause trouble”.

He added there would be an increase in patrols with “seven beat managers and 10 PCSO extra patrolling the area, mainly on Friday/Saturday nights, but also thoughout the rest of the week”.

‘Intimidation to residents’

Sergeant Clive Johnson said the order, obtained under the Anti-Social Behaviour Act, was put in place after a period where more than 20 residents a month were complaining about incidents to police.

He said: “There have been problems in the area which have involved children as young as 13.

“We have received reports that large groups of people have been gathering causing intimidation to residents who are looking to enjoy the local amenities that Bradley Stoke has to offer.

“Extra resources have been patrolling the area and police have seized alcohol from underage people and written to their parents as well as taken action against those responsible for minor criminal damage.

“The dispersal notice will provide officers with an additional power that can be used as and when necessary to improve the quality of life of residents.”

The dispersal zone will remain in place until November.

We published this story at 3.57pm – hours before any other source. We are Bradley Stoke’s number one news & information website.

• Avon & Somerset Police 5.28pm: Police tackle anti-social behaviour
• BBC News, 5.57pm: Police gain more powers on estate