NEW police powers have come into effect in a Hampshire village plagued with antisocial behaviour.

Police have the power to move on any groups of two or more whose behaviour may be seen as threatening or alarming to the people of Stubbington.

If groups are moved on they will be slapped with an order which does not permit them to visit the centre of the village again for 24 hours.

If they break the order they may be arrested or fined up to £5,000.

Fareham Borough Council gave Hampshire police permission to enforce the dispersal order after a sharp rise in complaints about anti-social behaviour including assaults, drunkenness and vandalism.

Fareham's chief inspector Kerry Bedford said: "Stubbington is essentially a safe and well-ordered place to live and visit and I want to stress that it is a minority of people who are committing offences. These large gatherings hide individuals and serve to intimidate those living or going about their business in the area."

She added that the parents of any young people caught would be contacted, as their help would be needed in reducing antisocial behaviour.

Fareham Borough Council's community safety manager, Katie Knowles, said: "Fareham's Community Safety Partnership has recommended this course of action because of the dramatic increase in low-level nuisance and disorder being experienced in this area.

"In addition to this, on two occasions in the last six months serious disturbances, involving large groups of young people, have been encountered in the Crofton area."

The order lasts six months and is bounded by and includes Moody Road, Crofton Lane, Cuckoo Lane, the shop precinct, Gosport Road, Eric Road, Stubbington Lane and Nursery Lane.