A DISPERSAL zone has been set up across Southampton city centre to prevent antisocial behaviour in the run up to Christmas.

It affects the areas surrounding Westquay, the Asda store in Portland Terrace, the Bargate, the Civic Centre and the city centre parks.

Streets covered by the zone include Above Bar Street, Queensway, Southampton High Street, Palmerston Road and East Park Terrace.

The move, under Section 34 of the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, gives officers the power to force people causing or likely to cause anti-social behaviour to leave the area.

If they refuse, they can be arrested.

The order came into force at 4pm and will remain in place until 3am.

Daily Echo: The area covered by the dispersal zoneThe area covered by the dispersal zone (Image: Hampshire police)

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