DO you know where your children are?

That's the warning from Swindon Police after officers issued a dispersal order for young people behaving badly in Park North, Park South and Walcot today.

For the second evening in a row, police are dealing with several incidents of criminality and antisocial behaviour in the area which mainly involve children and teenagers.

Those living in the area can expect to see an increased police presence while these incidents are being investigated.

A dispersal order has been put in place using section 35 of the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.

This gives police the power to disperse those whose behaviour is contributing to or is likely to contribute to anti-social behaviour, crime or disorder in the Walcot, Park North and Parks South area. Those who do not disperse risk being arrested.

PS Richard Fray from the Swindon Central South CPT neighbourhood policing team said: "We are doing all we can to minimise the impact that these individuals are having on the community, however the parents and guardians of these children are equally responsible for preventing their children becoming involved in ASB and criminality.

"If your child is out and about playing, find out where they are and who they are with. If they are hanging around in large groups or acting in an anti-social manner, they may find themselves in custody by the end of the night.

"We certainly do not want to criminalise young people, however we have to balance this against the impact that individuals are having on the local community.

"My thanks in advance for your assistance."