Residents of Probus have welcomed the new dispersal order

The Dispersal of Groups Order at the tiny village of Probus, near Truro, applies for the next four months.

It gives police and community support officers the power to arrest and order those involved to leave the village.

If they are not residents of the village they will be told to leave and not return for up to 24 hours.

Any person aged under 16 will have to be accompanied by a parent or responsible adult between 2100 and 0600.

Police officers in Cornwall say trouble has come to a head

The powers, given under section 30 of the Anti Social Behaviour Act 2003, have been introduced in a partnership between Carrick District Council and Devon and Cornwall Police.

Anyone who fails to disperse in the two areas can be arrested. The maximum penalty is three months in prison or a fine of �2,500.

The police say this decision was not taken lightly but residents said they feared walking the streets at night.

Jaw broken

Many youths were coming into the area from outside and were drinking in the streets.

One man had his jaw broken in an attack.

You never know if your door is going to be kicked in Trish Ball Tell BBC Cornwall what you think about the new dispersal order

Trish Ball, who runs the local Spar shop, said: "I've been very worried recently at the trouble in the village.

"I haven't been sleeping well at night. I have been woken up by the noise and have been constantly stressed out with that.

"You never know if your door is going to be kicked in."

She added: "I think the dispersal order is a brilliant idea and will make us feel safer at night.

"A lot of youngsters will be at home, where they should be at night."

One young person, who declined to be named, said: "I think nine o'clock is a bit harsh. Fair enough 11 or something.

"But I do think what is happening is wrong. Probus is getting quite a bad name."

Truro Neighbourhood Sgt Chris Strickland said: "It seems quite drastic, but anti-social behaviour has been increasing in the last few months.

"It has come to a head with assaults on families and we have decided we need to take sterner action."

He added: "I am sure it will resolve the problem. These orders are there to protect people, not harass them."

Another dispersal order has been in place at Gyllingvase Beach near Falmouth for a week and police there say it has been a success.