POLICE issued 30 dispersal notices, arrested one person and visited schools during a two-day crackdown on anti-social behaviour in Sedgley.

Officers took action after a spate of incidents involving young people causing criminal damage, general disorder and anti-social behaviour in the area had been reported in the past few months.

On Thursday and Friday dispersal powers, granted under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, were put in place - giving officers power to direct people to leave the area if their behaviour is likely to cause alarm, harassment or distress.

During the two days officers issued 30 dispersal notices, with all parents of youths involved contacted in person or sent a letter regarding the anti-social behaviour.

One person was also arrested on Thursday (May 13) by the Dudley Neighbourhood Policing Unit and released under investigation pending further CCTV, witnesses and co-offenders being dealt with.

Police said warning notices would also be issued to three female youths identified as part of a group who damaged a church wall and that a male youth involved in the same incident would also be dealt with.

Sergeant Mike Sanders, from the Dudley Neighbourhood Policing Unit, said: “Anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated in Sedgley. We will continue to support our communities and deal with this type of disorder, taking enforcement action against those causing trouble in the town.

“We are working with our partners regarding further interventions for those identified, including warning notices and acceptable behaviour contracts, to combat this issue in the longer term.”

Police say although the dispersal order has now expired they have stressed efforts won’t stop there and they will continue to tackle anti-social behaviour in the area.

They have urged people to ensure they report any incidents of anti-social behaviour directly to the police rather than just posting about them on social media.

A spokesman for the force said: "Sometimes criminal damage and other low level offences can go unreported, but we need to ensure we have as much information as possible on every incident that has taken place."

Anyone with information about incidents in Sedgley that they have not yet reported are urged to do so via Live Chat at west-midlands.police.uk (8am to midnight) or call 101 anytime or Crimestoppers (if they wish to remain anonymous) on 0800 111.