Police say most youths are law abiding

New powers are being introduced on the Eyres Monsell Estate in the city. Similar schemes are already in place in the city centre and Oadby and Wigston.

It means officers will be able to break up groups of teenagers, ban those not from the area and escort home under-16s out between 2100 and 0600.

Police say the powers have cut crime. Critics say they demonise teenagers.

The dispersal powers were granted under the Anti-Social Behaviour Act (2003).

'Agencies failed'

Earlier this month, Leicester Police said criminal damage had fallen by 40% since the introduction of the zone in the city centre.

Anti-social behaviour has been escalating over the last eight months and we simply will not tolerate it Pc Calven Bayliss

However, a police chief warned this week that the powers should be used only as a last resort.

Barbara Wilding, chief constable of South Wales Police, said: "Demonising of children by putting lots of orders against them is not where I come from because it shows that the agencies have failed."

The latest zone in Leicester will run in the area of The Exchange on the Eyres Monsell Estate where police said there has been significant and persistent anti-social behaviour, particularly in the evenings.

The powers will be enforced from Tuesday until 17 January 2005.

Pc Calven Bayliss of Welford Road local policing unit, said: "Anti-social behaviour has been escalating over the last eight months and we simply will not tolerate it.