AN order to prevent problems of anti-social behaviour in Okehampton town centre over Christmas and the New Year has proven to be an effective tool.

The Section 30 Dispersal Notice allows police officers to request people causing or likely to cause anti social behaviour to leave the area and not return for 24 hours.

This notice has been used in many towns previously, most notably over the festive season.

Speaking to town councillors last week PC Matt Evans said: 'We have been using the order for three weeks, and we have used it a few times in that period. So far it has led to one arrest, of a gentleman who failed to heed the initial dispersal notice.

'It is an effective tool in our arsenal, and good to see that on the occasions we have needed to use it, it has worked effectively.'

The police will retain the powers throughout February and March, and will then review the success of the dispersal notice, and decide whether they will use it again in the future.