Community Pc Terry Williams issues a notice to an 18-year-old

Pontypridd became the first part of the South Wales Police area where the "direction to leave" notice was used.

On Saturday, the five were ordered to leave the Tumble area of the town and two nearby streets, with one arrested for returning.

Officers take the person's details, and can photograph and exclude them.

The five issued with notices on Saturday night were excluded from Tumble and the surrounding area, including Gelliwastad Road and Taff Street.

The man arrested after returning to the area was aged 18 and from Ynysybwl.

Anyone seen as being "likely to contribute to alcohol-related crime or disorder" can be targeted by the new powers, said police.

Officers said it would be used in areas such as town centres or industrial estates that have the potential for drink-related trouble because they have several pubs, for example.

The officer will take the name and address of the person issued with the notice, and order them to leave the area for a period of time - usually 12 to 24 hours.

HOW THE NOTICE WORKS Served to individuals aged 16 or older Written notice includes the direction to leave, the prohibited time period and the area covered A person who breaches of fails to comply with a notice risks arrest or a fine of up to �2,500, if convicted Source: South Wales Police

The area the ban covers would usually apply to a few streets, but not a whole town.

Area Chief Insp Nigel Lewis said the notices would be used to tackle trouble in the run-up to Christmas.

If people did not leave an area after being told to do so, they could be prosecuted, he said.

"We will take their names and addresses, record their image on our 'headcam' and issue them with a map to show exactly the area they are excluded from," he added.

"We don't want to spoil anyone's fun, but we must safeguard the majority of people who are law-abiding and just want to have a good time."

The new power has been used in Pontypridd as part of a "Ponty After Dark'" strategy which is aimed at keeping the town centre safe on weekend evenings.

South Wales Police said incidents of serious crime had fallen 75% since the strategy began in October.