Residents of Probus have complained about harassment

Police have used new powers to break up a group of youths accused of assaulting, intimidating and harassing villagers in Probus near Truro.

The Dispersal of Groups Order applies for the next four months.

But Oliver Baines of the Cornwall Rural Community Council said he feared the orders could simply push the problem into other towns.

He said: "The imposition of these orders is taking away the liberty of young people to move around and the more we introduce these across the country the worse the situation will become.

DISPERSAL ORDERS Police and community support officers can arrest and order those involved to leave the village If they are not residents of the village they will be told not to return for up to 24 hours Under 16s will have to be accompanied by a parent or responsible adult between 2100 and 0600 The maximum penalty is three months in prison or a fine of �2,500

"We really need to look at why these people have nothing to do. Why haven't we got the facilities for them?

"They are not all bullies and thugs, they are young people and if you give them activities, then they will do them."

He said a lot of resources were being spent on supporting young children and their families, but teenagers were missing out.

"The youth service is under-resourced and it is a huge issue that we are not facing up to," he said.

"We have to look at the fact that we are a different society to 40 years ago.

"We have removed much of the community elements of society and we have to put them back in again."

He added: "There are young people who want to take part, in youth parliaments and forums.

Police are enforcing a curfew for under-16s

"We need to turn all this on its head and sort it out."

Police have said they expect the scheme and another which has been in place at Gyllingvase Beach near Falmouth for a week, to be a success.

But Mr Baines warned: "If we withdraw their liberties they will go to other villages and we will have the same problem being shifted around.

"We will end up with curfews all over Cornwall and that's the last thing we need."

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

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

One man had his jaw broken in an attack.