POLICE officers in Oswestry have warned offenders face being arrested when a dispersal zone order in the town centre comes into force on Wednesday evening.

Anyone who returns to the area, having already been told to leave, will face arrest West Mercia Police has confirmed.

The order is in effect from 6pm on Wednesday, September 22 until Friday, September 24 following recent reports of anti-social behaviour, including the arrest of two men in Beatrice Street for affray on Monday.

The road is among a number included in the order which is expected to be in place for 48 hours.

A spokesman said: "West Mercia Police has introduced a dispersal zone into Oswestry town centre for Wednesday following reports of anti-social behaviour.

"The order runs from 6pm until 6pm on Friday September 24.

"The zone covers areas of concern and includes Beatrice Street, King Street, Oswald’s Road, Swan Lane, Orchard Street and Castlefields.

"The order comes under Section 34 of the Anti-Social Behaviour & Policing Act 2014, which gives police officers and police community support officers powers to direct people they suspect are causing or likely to cause crime, nuisance or anti-social behaviour to members of the public to leave a designated area and not return for up to 48 hours.

"Under the legislation, officers have the power to seize any item used in the commission of anti-social behaviour.

"Should a person who has previously been directed to leave the area return, an offence would be committed, which they may ultimately be arrested for."

It comes after a heavy police presence at the Morrisons/BP garage in Beatrice Street following an incident which saw an 18-year-old and 43-year-old man arrested.

Officers said the incident was linked to an earlier incident in Swan Lane.