Officers are using dispersal notices to break up gangs of youths in the Gresham area of Middlesbrough as well as Grangetown and Whale Hill in Eston.

Youngsters under 16 years of age who refuse to move on after 2100 GMT will be ferried home.

The month-long move by Cleveland Police follows curfews in other parts of Teesside, which the force said were effective in reducing street crime.

Sgt Dave Sutherland of Cleveland Police, said: "There have been numerous complaints about gangs of youths roaming the streets, drinking alcohol, throwing stones at windows and generally acting in a threatening way.

Subject to alarm

"The police are and will be playing their part to the full in stamping out this kind of behaviour but parents too have a role to play.

"Do they know what their children are up to on a night? It could well come as a shock to some if we have to march their youngsters home."

The orders will come into effect in Grangetown and Whale Hill on Thursday, 20 January and run for four weeks until Sunday, 20 February. They are already in force in Gresham in Middlesbrough.

The new powers also mean that from 1700 to 0500 GMT, police will be able to break up groups of youths and order people out of an area if they believe others could be harassed or subject to alarm or distress.