From tomorrow, groups can be moved on from Haverhill skate park and parts of the surrounding areas if police believe they have or are about to commit anti-social behaviour.

The move has been backed by 34 of 38 residents living near the skate park and will help them, as well as users of the facilities, live more peaceful lives after years of experiencing early morning screaming, smashed bottles and dog mess in their gardens.

Pc Rupert Beynon, beat officer for the Cangle ward, said: "It's been an ongoing problem for as long as I've been here, for six or seven years.

"It's not for people who are using it properly. I've known up to 100 youths congregate when it's dark."

Posters in English, Polish and Portuguese will be stuck up in the area that covers the two adjacent fields to the park, and the track and footpath that runs round to Withersfield Road at the opposite end of the park to Howe Road.

If police believe anti-social behaviour has or is about to happen, they can enforce the order and tell the responsible groups of two or more people to leave the area and not return for 24 hours.

Haverhill inspector Adrian Dawson said: "A group persists in using the facility and the surrounding area in an anti-social manner.

"This includes drinking, being noisy, causing damage to street lighting, fences and the skate ramps themselves.

"This is unacceptable to the people who use the park responsibly, the community who use the area around the park, the police and local authorities."

derek.bish@haverhillecho.com