FOUR TEENS and a 24-year-old man have been arrested after police were given special powers to crack down on anti-social behaviour.

It comes after police chiefs authorised the use of a Section 35 Dispersal Order.

The powers came into place in Old Portsmouth at midday on Wednesday and will be used until midday on Friday.

Five people were arrested yesterday following increased police patrols on Southsea Common.

Officers targetted Southsea Common and the Hot Walls, to "tackle those intent on causing anti-social behaviour and engaging in violence".

Five people were arrested:

• A 24-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of two counts of common assault on an emergency worker. He has since been charged. Prosper Yandisa Langeni of no fixed address, appeared before Portsmouth Magistrates Court today.

• An 18-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of possession of class A drugs with intent to supply and failure to comply with S35 dispersal notice.

• A 19-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of a public order offence. He has since been charged with one count of assaulting a police officer and two counts of use threatening / abusive / insulting words / behaviour to cause harassment / alarm / distress. Robertino Brown of Knox Road, Portsmouth will appear before Portsmouth Magistrates Court on July 23.

• A 15-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of failure to comply with a S35 dispersal notice.

• A 16-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of failure to comply with a S35 dispersal notice.

Acting Inspector Darren Ali said: “Today, our patrol plans and the dispersal order remains in place.

“The map shows the area where we have our dedicated patrols and outlines the dispersal zone.

“Yesterday, we put a dispersal order in place for 48 hours which lasts until midday tomorrow. As we approach that expiry time, we are able to review the order and if required, authorise another one. Dispersal orders give us the power to order a person to leave the designated area and not return for 24 hours. Breaching this is a criminal offence.

“We know that the majority of people in Old Portsmouth are out to enjoy the warm weather and we want you to enjoy these areas of the city safely with friends and loved ones. Therefore, our additional patrols and dispersal order will remain in place to tackle those few intent on causing anti-social behaviour and engaging in violence of any kind and that’s where our focus will be.”