POLICE powers to cut down on anti-social behaviour in Walton have been extended.

A dispersal order was introduced in Walton town centre in 2010 to help cops fight a rise in anti-social behaviour.

Tendring Council has now given Essex Police permission to extend the dispersal order until June.

Sergeant Pete Gerard from Walton police station said: “It was a scheme we originally put in place to tackle a perceived rise in anti-social behaviour.

“Since then it has been used to great effect by our officers to cut out this behaviour as early as we can and keep the town safe.

“We think it has been very successful so far and we are very pleased to hear it has been extended.”

Dispersal zones give officers powers allowing them to ban groups of two or more people from around specified areas for up to 24 hours.

The powers have been used to tackle 21 incidents in Walton in the last six weeks.

Dispersal orders are also in place in Clacton and Jaywick.