POLICE have been granted greater powers to move on problem youths in a busy shopping area.

The six-month dispersal order granted by Greenwich Council for Eltham High Street and due to start tomorrow, means officers can move groups of people away from the area if they are behaving antisocially.

It could also see them banned from the area for a certain period.

The move, called for by Eltham North Safer Neighbourhood Team and ward councillor Spencer Drury, follows concerns about assaults and disorder, often caused by school children still in uniform.

Council officers claim staff at McDonalds and other restaurants have been threatened and assaulted in the past, while car parks and buses are regularly vandalised during the evening.

Secretary of the Eltham Society Laurie Baker said there was a risk of demonising children.

But he added: “There is some trouble, especially around school going home time.

“There have been occasions when other children from other places come in looking for a fight.”

The order also follows disturbing scenes in August when large numbers of people, some from the right-wing EDL party, gathered in the area following the riots.

A dispersal order could help prevent these groups forming in the streets when their presence is likely to cause a disturbance, officers say.

Cllr Drury said: “I hope that the zone will help people feel safer in Eltham, particularly when the schools empty out.

“Ironically, I suspect this is the wrong time of year as it seems to me that much of the problem occurs during the local summer evenings.

“Hopefully the council will continue to support this innovation beyond six months should it be required.”

A dispersal order for Woolwich town centre and the Connaught Estate, recently extended for a further six months, is credited with helping reduce crime in that area by 21 per cent.

Sergeant Marianne Rees said: "We want people to feel that they can visit the High Street and the shops without being worried about anti-social behaviour. "Many shop in Eltham or travel through the area every day - we will ensure they are able to do so without being subjected to unacceptable behaviour. "The dispersal zone will give us the power to tackle head on anti-social behaviour issues, particularly at school closing time."