Police have been granted new powers to tackle antisocial behaviour around Hounslow East tube station.

A six-month dispersal order came into force yesterday, allowing officers to clear potential troublemakers from the area around the station in Kingsley Road.

It was introduced in response to residents' complaints of harassment and intimidation by groups loitering in the neighbourhood.

The order enables officers to disperse groups they think are intent on causing trouble. Anyone returning within 24 hours faces arrest and a fine up to £2,500 or three months behind bars.

Children aged under 16 can be escorted home to their parents if they are unaccompanied and misbehaving.

The entire borough is already a controlled drinking zone , giving officers the power to confiscate alcohol from nuisance drinkers.

But police said the new measure, introduced in partnership with Hounslow Council, would help them tackle loutish behaviour by drinkers in the alleyway between North Drive and Kingsley Road.

Acting Sergeant James Gill, of the Hounslow Police Tasking Team, said: "We will not allow groups of people to harass and intimidate our community nor allow the small minority of people to wreck the lives of the residents by acting in an antisocial manner.

"We have listened to what the local community are telling us and will take appropriate measures to curb any unacceptable behaviour within Hounslow borough."

Councillor Richard Foote, cabinet member for community protection, said: "Residents have a right to live free from fear of intimidation, crime and anti-social behaviour. 

"This dispersal order, which we have agreed with the police, is part of our determination to crack down on yobbish behaviour and protect the quality of life of our law abiding residents."

Dispersal zones have previously been created on Hanworth's Butts Farm estate in March, and on Convent Way and Ringway estates , on the borders of Heston and Southall, last summer, among other areas in the borough.