GANGS of troublemakers who cause misery for residents will be ordered to disperse or face arrest under new plans to curb teenage nuisance.

Police have been granted new powers to move groups of more than three people who threaten to cause a disturbance at nuisance hot-spots in Bradshaw, Bromley Cross and Harwood.

Officers are keen to dismantle what they describe as a new "subculture" of youngsters gathering in groups of up to 30 to drink until the early hours of the morning - often embarking on drink-fuelled orgies of destruction and intimidating residents.

Police today vowed to target known gangs who have wreaked misery on residents and arrest those who ignore orders to disperse.

"These powers send out a clear message to those people who think it is acceptable to cause misery for the people who in these areas," said Insp Tony Kenyon.

"We are committed to using these powers and we will make arrests unless they are obeyed."

The order will come into force from next Friday and run for six months until September when it can be reviewed.

As well being used to break up gangs, the order will give police powers to demand anyone living outside the zone leave the area and not return for 24 hours.

The order has been introduced under the 2003 Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003 and was drawn up between police and Bolton Council.

"Anybody who is going about their business peacefully has nothing to worry about," added Insp Kenyon.

"Officers will use these powers at their discretion where they feel there is a threat of a disturbance.

"In some of these areas we are seeing groups of up to 30 youngsters gathering and some of them have come from other parts of Bolton simply to stand with their friends and drink, which causes its own problems."

The dispersal area will stretch from Egerton in the North down to Stitch-mi-Lane in the south. It takes in Egerton, Dunscar, Eagley, Bromley Cross, Bradshaw and Harwood.

Cllr Barbara Ronson, leader of Bolton Council, said: "Some people might say that these powers seem excessive, however we are responding to the issues raised by residents in the Bromley Cross, Harwood and Bradshaw areas.

"People have the right to walk to the local shops and visit neighbours without feeling intimidated and this action is an example of how communities working together with the police and local authority can make a difference."

"The problem of anti-social behaviour is not just one that is faced by people living in more deprived areas of the town - it's something that affects all areas."