SYKE, Healey and Shawclough are set to become no-go zones for teenage yobs.

From next Friday a three-month dispersal order will be introduced aimed at cracking down on anti-social behaviour.

The move, which follows an increase in criminal damage in the area, will give police the power to escort home under 16s who are hanging round in groups of two or more after 9pm.

It is the second time in 15 months such a measure has been placed on the area.

Last July a similar order was introduced after police received more than 200 reports of youth nuisance in just two months.

Inspector James Troisi, of the Rochdale North neighbourhood policing team, said: "When dispersal orders have been used on previous occasions in Rochdale they have proved to be very effective in reducing anti-social behaviour.

"We believe this order is an essential part of our thorough approach to tackling crime and disorder in the town.

"It will only be used against youths and groups of people who are involved in, or are likely to be involved in, anti-social behaviour and is just one of a number of steps being taken to tackle this problem."

Jeanette Staley, acting safer communities manager for Rochdale, said: "We will be aiming to back up enforcement of the order with other activities, including detached youth work, liaison with schools and reminding licensees of their responsibilities around the sale of alcohol.

"I would ask local parents to make sure they know, as far as possible, where their children are going and what they are doing when they’re out and about in the area. It is important that we all work together to deal with this problem."

Shawclough Primary School forked out £30,000 on security guards last year in an bid to stop youths drinking in and vandalising the playground.

And headteacher Julia Sandiford-Mitchell, welcomed the latest attempt to crack down on the trouble causers.

She said: "I welcome this dispersal order and hope it will reduce the problem of the persistent vandalism that we have suffered over the last year."