A DISPERSAL zone aimed at cutting crime and curbing anti-social behaviour will be launched in the East End of Glasgow today.

Officers will be enforcing the zone, in the Parkhead and Lilybank area, from 6pm this evening in an effort to help the communities reclaim their streets. It will run for three months.

Under the terms of the order - only the third of its kind to be enforced in the Strathclyde Police area - groups of two or more people causing alarm or distress can be dispersed by officers.

Anyone refusing to comply with the order will be committing an offence and, if convicted, could be liable for a fine of up to £2500 and could face up to three months in prison.

The move is in response to problems with groups, many of whom don't live in the area, being involved in gang fighting, carrying knives, vandalism, drinking and generally causing disorder.

Superintendent Val Thomson, from London Road police station, said: "The dispersal order is intended to be a short-term measure which will put an end to a long-term problem in this area. It is not acceptable that a small minority blight the lives of the vast majority in this way.

"Traditional policing methods have not had the impact on resolving these issues that would allow the residents to live without fear of crime. I believe this new initiative will start to move us in that direction."

"This dispersal order, which we have introduced with the support of a number of partner organisations, is very useful as it means those intent on causing trouble can be moved on and moved out of the area if they don't live there.

"We can disperse any groups gathering and acting in an anti-social way for up to 24 hours. Their details will be noted and kept on a register. If they don't comply, they face being arrested and I'm sure this will discourage groups from hanging around and acting in a disorderly and aggressive manner."

Several streets will be covered by the order and areas such as Tollcross Road, including the park, and Shettleston Road and London Road will be a no-go zone for groups involved in anti-social behaviour from 6pm-1am Monday to Thursday and 4pm-2am on Friday to Sunday.

Police have embarked on the crackdown along with other agencies, including Glasgow City Council and Glasgow Community & Safety Services.

Supt Thomson added: "The success of the dispersal initiative will lie in our close working partnership with organisations in the heart of the community.

"Part of this initiative will be to ensure that anyone loitering in the streets is given information about what is available in the area and support to access those services."

Similar orders in the past in the Knightswood and Dennistoun areas saw crime rates drop sharply.