A THIRD city centre dispersal order has been issued inside two weeks as police target against crime and anti-social behaviour.

The order, covering the public space protection order area in the city centre, starts at 3pm today (Friday, June 15), and ends at 3pm on Sunday, June 17.

By law, dispersal orders issued by the police can only last for 48 hours.

Gwent Police say the move is a part of ongoing activity against perpetrators of crime and anti-social behaviour in Newport City Centre.

A spokesman said: "Officers are imposing the order following a number of reports of antisocial and criminal behaviour linked to groups of youths causing harassment alarm and distress in the city centre, which increases toward and over the weekend period."

The order gives police officers and community support officers extra powers to make troublemakers leave the area if they are involved in antisocial behaviour, or if officers think their behaviour may lead to antisocial behaviour.

If they return to that area after being moved on, they face being arrested.

This is the third such order to be issued in June.

The first expired on Sunday, June 3, and resulted in one arrest.

A second dispersal order followed immediately after, which expired on Wednesday, June 6.

Insp John Davies, of the Newport City Centre policing team, said: “Both uniformed and plain clothes police officers will be patrolling the area this weekend, and we would urge members of the public to report any offences or concerns they may have to us on 101. If a crime is being committed, please dial 999 immediately.”