A police chief has warned that antisocial behaviour will not be tolerated on Bournemouth's streets after civic leaders agreed to extend powers to disperse groups causing a nuisance.
An application by police to extend the existing dispersal order in Bournemouth town centre by six months has been accepted by the council.
The order, which will now remain in force until April 2 next year, allows officers to disperse two or more people who are acting antisocially or are likely to cause distress to others.
A uniformed police officer can direct members of a group to leave the area and not return for up to 24 hours.
If they fail to comply with the direction they can be arrested. If convicted they can be fined or jailed for up to three months.
Inspector Neil MacBean said: "We felt it was necessary to extend the order to prevent low-level disorder in Bournemouth town centre.
"It is a useful tool for officers to use to disperse groups of young people or drinkers.
"We had to give the local authority statistics showing some trouble hotspots so they could analyse them before making a decision."
Inspector MacBean added: "Local residents, employees and visitors to Bournemouth are entitled to live, work and enjoy themselves in a safe environment without being subjected to antisocial behaviour.
"The extension should act as a warning that the police and the local authority will not tolerate antisocial behaviour."
He stressed: "This order is not aimed at law-abiding people who simply want to socialise with their friends.
"It is about acting positively on behalf of the local community and businesses to deal with the few that take it one step too far."
The order covers a large area of the town, roughly from Durley Chine to Cambridge Road to the west, parts of Wessex Way, Horseshoe Common and the railway station to the north and parts of Wellington Road, Southcote Road, Gervis Road and Meyrick Road to the east.
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