STREETS in a crime-plagued neighbourhood are to be reclaimed for residents.

A dispersal order is being put in place next week covering all streets running through, and bordering, the Gresham area of Middlesbrough.

It will give police and community support officers power to disperse groups of two or more people they suspect are likely to cause anti-social behaviour, and ban from the area for 24 hours anyone who does not live there.

Failure to comply will result in arrests.

Sergeant Mark Hall from Cleveland Police's neighbourhood policing team, said: "We have received a great number of complaints about gangs of youths roaming the streets, drinking alcohol and getting involved in low-level crime.

"Young people need to be aware that we will not tolerate any form of anti-social or criminal behaviour and we are working closely with the community to help eliminate this.''

Last year, Cleveland Police launched Operation Anvil in response to Gresham's disproportionately high crime level, compared to the rest of the town.

It was repeated this year, with an increase in police teams, police community support officers and street wardens, to reassure residents and encourage them to come forward with information about crimes.

Two weeks into this year's crackdown, complaints of criminal damage were halved and nuisance behaviour dropped by 11 per cent.

The dispersal order comes into effect from Tuesday and will cover Union Street, Borough Road, Diamond Road, Princes Road, Gresham Road, Finsbury Street and Parliament Road. It will run until December 31.

Much of the area is eventually to be bulldozed in controversial redevelopment plans.