ROWDY youngsters will be cleared from the streets of two Sheffield suburbs - which residents say have become no-go zones after dark.
A curfew is to be introduced in Parson Cross and Ecclesfield next week as part of a crackdown on trouble in the run up to Bonfire Night.
The curfew will enable police to prevent children aged under 16 from being out on the streets between 9pm and 6
am.
A dispersal order will also be imposed giving police the power to split up gangs hanging about on streets and involved in anti-social behaviour
Officers will even be able to split up groups they suspect could cause a nuisance.
Residents in Parson Cross and Ecclesfield today welcomed the new action to reclaim their streets from yobs.
One shopkeeper at the Margetson Road shops in Parson Cross said: "Nobody ventures out after dark. The kids drink, swear, climb buildings, vandalise property, set off fireworks and intimidate residents.
"There are children as young as six out there sometimes.
"They are in large groups of up to 40 and it's very intimidating - sometimes there are more."
She called on police to take a tough stance with the troublemakers and urged them to help residents reclaim the streets.
"We need help. We call the police but they don't come until hours later. The community police deter them a little bit but the kids know the community officers can't arrest them so they just do whatever they want."
Fed-up residents said problems included yobs starting fires in wheelie bins, smashing up a nearby doctors' surgery causing £20,000 of damage and putting fireworks in rubbish bins.
One said: "The elderly don't dare come out after tea time. They are prisoners in their own homes."
The resident welcomed the curfew adding: "Last time it was a lot better - they do work."
In nearby Ecclesfield, Maxine Buckton, who works in The Local off licence on Ecclesfield High Street said all the shop owners had experience problems with gangs of youths.
She said: "They hang about outside and at the bus stop. The over 18s come in and buy alcohol for the younger ones."
South Yorkshire Police and Sheffield Council hope the order will reduce the amount of trouble and nuisance behaviour they have to deal with over the traditionally busy period.
The powers will run in conjunction with the annual South Yorkshire Police Operation Mischief initiative where officers tackle trouble in the run up to Bonfire Night.
The curfew and dispersal orders will run from Monday until Monday November 14.
Youngsters who refuse to comply with the dispersal order can be arrested and charged with offences under the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003.
And those who ignore the curfew will be taken home or to another place of safety.
Inspector Stuart Walne, from Ecclesfield Safer Neighbourhood team, said officers would be sensible in enforcing the curfew and children with legitimate reasons to be out after 9pm would not get into trouble.
"This is not about creating a ghost town - there is an element of discretion in the enforcement of these orders. Two children on their way home from a youth club or innocently visiting the shop, for example, will not be removed from the area," he said.
"These powers allow us to take action against a minority of people who intimidate and cause distress to others by behaving anti-socially.
"We know the distress caused by the misuse of fireworks and we will not tolerate youths who think it is acceptable to vandalise property and make people feel vulnerable."
Coun Jackie Drayton, Sheffield Council's cabinet adviser for community safety, said: "We aim to work with the police and communities to deal with anyone who tries to make others' lives a misery.
"Residents have a right to feel safe in their neighbourhoods and we are determined to support them."
n Anyone with information about anti-social behaviour in the area should call 0114 296 4854.
n What do you think? Will the curfew and dispersal order help reduce Bonfire Night vandalism? Email starletters@sheffieldnewspapers.co.uk or write to The Star, Letters, York Street, Sheffield S1 1PU.
