Police have set up a no go zone for gangs of youths across Richmond borough this weekend to combat a rise in violence and antisocial behaviour.

The move gives the police extra powers to require groups of people to disperse or face arrest.

The move comes against the background of concerns about hundreds of youngsters gathering on Richmond Green over the past two Friday nights.

There was also a serious assault on a man in his 50s close to the entrance of Tesco in George Street, in the middle of Richmond, last Friday.

The Richmond area appears to have become a magnet to teenagers from outside the area in recent weeks, bringing demands for tough police action to protect residents.

Separately, the police dispersal zone will allow them to break up gangs of youngsters jumping into the Thames from the bridge at Teddington Lock.

Concerns for the safety of youngsters have been exacerbated by the death of a boy of 14 who drowned earlier this week after jumping from a bridge at Taggs Island, Hampton.

Richmond Police said a Section 35 Dispersal has been authorised by Chief Inspector Scammell for much of the borough, including Teddington Lock , Richmond Green and Terrace Gardens noon today through to noon on Sunday.

The rules state: "A police constable or community support officer may disperse groups of two or more people where their presence or behaviour has resulted in, or is likely to result in, a member of the public being harassed, intimidated, alarmed of distressed.

"Individuals who do not reside in the designated area can be directed to leave the designate area and may be excluded for up to 48 hours.

"A person does not commit an offence because the officer has chosen to use the power to disperse, but failure to follow the officer's directions is an offence.

"Those under 16 can be directed to go home or detained and taken home."