Tough measures are being introduced to combat yobs wreaking misery on a neighbourhood.

A dispersal order comes into force next month, giving police powers to move ongroups of youths who are acting in a manner which causes - or is likely to cause - harassment, alarm or distress.

PC Shelley Watson, Hartlepool police's anti-social behaviour officer, said: "We will challenge unruly behaviour. The message to the perpetrators is that this is no longer acceptable and we are not prepared to tolerate it."

The order will apply to the Dyke House area of town.

It is the third time that a dispersal order has been invoked in the town in the past year - and the second time Dyke House has been targeted.

The other area of Hartlepool involved was Throston.

PC Watson said: "The dispersal order is one of a number of tools we have to tackle anti-social behaviour and we will not hesitate to use it when we think it is necessary.

"The vast majority of people in society are good, law abiding citizens, but, unfortunately, there are a few people who will try to make life miserable for others. It is these people we are targeting."

Alison Mawson, Hartlepool Borough Council's head of community safety and prevention, said: "Hartlepool, like all towns and cities, has a minority that will try to blight the lives of others. This has to stop.

"We are only talking about a very small number of people here and the dispersal order will help us to tackle current problems we have in the Dyke House area."

The order is being brought in at midnight on November 7. It will then operate between 9pm and 6am, for one month.