Areas have been designated as "dispersal zones" under the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003.

Police can force groups of two or more people to leave the area if the public have been harassed or intimidated.

In Lancashire a zone has been set up in Clayton Brook, while Cheshire Police will be applying the law to an area of Culcheth near Warrington.

'Tackle misery'

Police said the legislation is not designed to impede law-abiding people.

The zone is the second one to be implemented by the Cheshire force, with the first one set up in May in the Overpool and Riveracre areas of Ellesmere Port.

Supt Julia Clayton, divisional commander of the Cheshire force, said the aim of the latest order was "to combat those responsible for ant-social behaviour and criminal activity in this particular area of Culcheth".

She added: "We have received significant local support for taking this action, which will hopefully tackle the small proportion of people who cause misery to others."

The scheme was not a "knee-jerk reaction" to the "hundreds" of anti-social behaviour incidents in the area and was designed to be a "long-term solution", she said.

The Clayton Brook housing estate is the target of the Lancashire zone, which also involves imposing a curfew on youngsters being out late at night.

North British Housing, which manages most of the estate, believes it will help residents feel more secure.