Police descended on a known anti-social behaviour hotspot to 'clear off' youths as Tameside officers crack down on unruly behaviour.
Eyewitnesses reported seeing a large police presence descend on Ashton-under-Lyne bus station at around 5.30pm on Monday evening (February 7).
The town centre was hit with a dispersal order at the weekend following an increase in anti-social behaviour, the Manchester Evening News has been told.
A number of young people gathered at the bus station were issued dispersal notices yesterday, while were some were taken home by cops.
It comes amid increasing concern over criminal activity among youngsters in Greater Manchester so far this year, including knife crime.
On Saturday (February 5), Tameside was named as one of nine areas locations in Greater Manchester where stop and search powers were being extended by police, following the recent spate of violence.
The announcement came less than 24 hours after Dylan Keelan was stabbed to death on Cheetham Hill Road, in Dukinfield, with the 20-year-old becoming the third young person to lose his life to knife crime in just a fortnight in Greater Manchester.
Anti-social behaviour is a known problem in Ashton, with locations such as the outdoor market square and the town's bus station often hotspots for trouble.
A large police presence was seen around the bus station on Monday evening as officers monitored the area for anti-social behaviour.
Sgt Rob Froggatt, from Greater Manchester Police's neighbourhood team in Ashton, said: "Over the weekend a dispersal order was out in place due to the amount of anti-social behaviour activity around Ashton town centre.
"The neighbourhood team went out and cleared the town centre and bus station.
"It was for reassurance for anybody out in the area that we are not going to accept anti-social behaviour.
"We moved on any youths causing issues - a couple were given dispersal notices and a couple were taken home."
Officers have patrolled the town centre on engagement days as part of Operation Sycamore, with the activity set to continue this year.
Following work between GMP and Tameside Council, it's also hoped that a Public Space Protection Order could be placed on the town centre to ban street drinking, to further tackle anti-social behaviour.
