A 48-HOUR dispersal order has been put in place in a town in a bid to tackle anti-social behaviour, police said.

It means police can use the power to 'remove the likelihood of members of the public being harassed, alarmed or distressed' in Longridge.

Officers can order people to leave the area where the order is in place for the rest of the exclusion period which began on Friday night.

Police said the order, which comes under S35 of the anti-social behaviour, crime and policing act 2014, is needed to support the community who have 'had enough of anti-social behaviour'.

Anyone who does not comply with the order will be committing an offence.

The area includes Longridge CE Primary School, the Palace Cinema, The Co-operative Food and Towneley Arms.

The order is in place until 9.23pm tomorrow (Sunday).

A police spokesman said: "Recent complaints of anti-social behaviour in Longridge have led to the following dispersal power being implemented today for a period of 48 hours, under S35 of the anti-social behaviour crime and policing act 2014.

"Authority has been provided within Longridge town centre and surrounding streets to implement the above power to remove the likelihood of members of the public being harassed, alarmed or distressed.

"A constable or PCSO may direct a person to leave the locality or part of the locality as per the map during the exclusion period.

"A person given direction under S35 who fails without reasonable excuse to comply commits an offence, which they may be arrested for.

"This basically provides police with the power to remove people causing or likely to cause anti-social behaviour.

"This power is in place until 9.23pm on Sunday March 11, 2018.

"Anyone requested to leave under this power will be given a notice outlining the request and informed that if they return to the area within the specified period they commit an offence.

"We believe this is required to support the local community who have informed us on numerous occasions that they have had enough of anti-social behaviour in Longridge.

"We thank you for your patience and continued reports which have enabled us to enforce this power."