SPECIAL police powers to deal with youths terrorising Portchester have been extended in a bid to wipe out more antisocial behaviour in the area.

Officers have lengthened the dispersal order rolled out in January by an extra six months and widened the boundaries it covers to keep up the good work they have already started.

Since January 31 the order, which gives police powers to move on youngsters engaged in antisocial behaviour, has seen a reduction in incidents they have been called out to by seven per cent.

Conversely there has been an increase in incidents outside the boundaries of the original order.

Now officers have sought approval from council chiefs to take steps to activate these special powers throughout a larger part of Portchester.

The order originally covered the area bordered by Westlands Grove, White Hart Lane, Castle Street, the Red Lion Roundabout and the A27 to the junction of West Street and Westlands Grove.

Now it will include Wicor Recreation Ground, Portchester Castle and Portchester Crematorium stretching north to the railway line, east to Portsmouth Harbour and west across the whole of the Cams Hall Estate Golf Club.

Sergeant Karen Dawes said the order had proved successful but antisocial behaviour was inevitably being displaced.

"We've got some systems in place now that we have got a lot of faith in. But it's too early to take away the order when it might continue to make a significant difference in future," she said.

"Although there has been a reduction of calls from the public about incidents, there has been a significant displacement around the areas outside. We're hopeful that by extending the area we can be proactive and continue with what we're doing."

As well as moving on youths, police have set up other schemes to stamp out antisocial behaviour.

They have powers to seize cars from youths driving without due care and attention and can monitor cruise events where drivers congregate in car parks in the borough.

They have also set up behavioural contracts with youths that can be used as evidence for tougher action later on if the youth persists with intimidating, unacceptable behaviour.

Council leaders at Fareham have shown full support for police schemes to crackdown on misbehaving youths.

Portchester ward councillor, Roger Price, said: "We have a major problem in Portchester and the people in the area totally support the police in trying to resolve the issues there."

The order, which was originally due to end on July 31 will run on until January 31, 2006.