YOUTHS hanging around troubled estates in Mile End at night will be told by police to sling their hooks or risk being arrested. Tower Hamlets police and the council say that problems with antisocial behaviour and crime and disorder on the Eric and Treby E

YOUTHS hanging around troubled estates in Mile End at night will be told by police to sling their hooks or risk being arrested.

Tower Hamlets police and the council say that problems with antisocial behaviour and crime and disorder on the Eric and Treby Estates have prompted them to bring a dispersal zone into operation, meaning they will have powers to move groups of youths on.

Cops say groups hanging around the area bordered by Bow Road, Southern Grove, Bow Common Road and the Regent's Canal between 7pm and 4am every evening from Monday until September 24 will be moved away and may be excluded from that area for up to 24 hours afterwards.

A police spokesman said: "In areas with a dispersal notice, police and community support officers have the power to disperse groups where their presence or behaviour has resulted, or is likely to result, in a member of the public being harassed, intimidated, alarmed or distressed."

People under 16 found in a dispersal area after 9pm who are not accompanied by a responsible adult may be taken home by a uniformed police officer or community support officer.

If individuals refuse to follow the direction to disperse they will be committing an offence that could result in a fine up to �2,500 or imprisonment.

Tower Hamlets council's community safety boss Andy Bamber said: "We are committed to keeping the borough cleaner, safer and greener.

"The dispersal zone in Eric Street and Hamlets Way highlights that acts of anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated.