Ref. 72708-93YOBS have been cleared off the streets of three areas of Swindon thanks to new police powers.

But local campaigners say officers still need to do more to win the war on vandalism, underage drinking and anti-social behaviour.

It is now nearly four months since police imposed a dispersal order covering Rodbourne Cheney, Moredon and Green-meadow following a barrage of complaints about rowdy youths.

Sgt Robin Colbourne, of Swindon police, says incidents of anti-social behaviour have halved in that time.

"We have used the powers several times," he said.

"Anti-social behaviour has fallen by 50 per cent, which has had a positive impact on the lives of local residents.

"It has meant an end to long-standing problems, such as underage drinking in Avon-mead, where between 15 and 30 underage drinkers were gathering.

"We have also been using the mobile CCTV van in the area, which is useful for intelligence gathering and as well as a deterrent."

Residents have welcomed the orders which give police the power to split up groups of troublemakers they still have concerns.

Les White, chairman of the Rodbourne Cheney Residents' Association, has started a logbook to record incidents.

He says is takes officers too long to respond to trouble.

"The orders are a good idea, but they only work if they are policed well, and I don't think they are.

"By the time officers get to the scene, the troublemakers have gone."

Mr White hopes his diary will help the police identify hotspots.

Responding to the concerns, Sgt Colbourne stressed that police have to priorities calls.

He added: "We can only use the powers if people are causing harassment, alarm or distress.

"We cannot move people on just because they have congregated in a large group."

Coun Maureen Caton (Lab Moredon) said her ward is more peaceful.

She said: "I'm very grateful for the orders.

"They have worked so far but I think they have to be measured over the long term.

"You would expect anti-social behaviour to fall in the autumn."

The six-month orders - introduced under the Anti Social Behaviour Act 2003 mean officers can frogmarch troublemakers home.

If they return, they face arrest. Several orders have been introduced in Swindon, and Pinehurst, and Haydon Wick, Toothill Freshbrook and Shaw are currently covered.

The first area to be targeted was Stratton, where the order has just expired, resulting a drop in loutish behaviour.

When yobs attacked the Fox and Hounds

YOBS smashed the window of a Haydon Wick pub days before it was scheduled to be redecorated.

Staff at the Fox and Hounds Pub in High Street, Haydon Wick, were clearing up at 12.30am on Sunday when somebody walked past and kicked in one of their front windows.

It happened two days before staff and regulars were going to repaint the pub

Landlady Ellen Dee said: "It's not what we need at the moment because we've just done the pub up. It was quite frightening at the time."

A regular customer at the pub, who did not want to be named, said: "It's lucky that it didn't happen a bit earlier because somebody could have been seriously hurt if they had been sitting in the seat by the window.

"It's the second time this year that the pub has had one of its windows done.

"It happened to the kitchen window back in April.

"What makes it worse is that it was the pub's original windows that got done."

Sgt Robin Colbourne of Swindon police, said: "A report of damage was made from the public house and this is being investigated by officers.

"It is being treated as an incident of criminal damage.

"If anybody has any information about this then they should contact the police on the usual number 01793 528 111."

Tamash lal