police powers to break up groups of two or more people help reduce crime but alienate young people, say Glasgow researchers.

A dispersal area at Parkhead, in the east of the city, was studied by a team at the city's Caledonian University to find out about the use of powers in the Anti-Social Behaviour Act.

During September 2009 and January 2010 – when the Parkhead zone was put in place – there were 298 dispersals, 115 exclusions and 28 arrests.

But the research found young people reported feeling stigmatised and demonised by the measure.

It has sparked calls for action to be taken for young people if future dispersal crackdowns go ahead.

The university team found the number of complaints and disturbances decreased during the period of dispersal by about 10%.

Researchers also said the low number of arrests suggested the powers had some effect as a form of prevention.

A total of 51% of all people surveyed thought the dispersal was a worthwhile initiative. But there was a huge divide between young and old, with only 22% of those under 30 agreeing with the drive, while almost 94% of over-60s supported it.

The paper, by Professor Lesley McMillan and Dr Annette Robertson, will be presented as part of the university's inaugural Research Day tomorrow.

Ms McMillan said: "Our findings show a small reduction in some types of anti- social behaviour such as vandalism, but they run the risk of alienating young people and reinforcing the message that they are troublesome.

"Some sections of the community, especially older people, perceive the orders to be useful and have a greater sense of safety during them when younger people are not about.

"If dispersals are to be used again, young people should be consulted more widely and given realistic diversionary activities that suit their age."

Other points were uncovered through the project.

The group found the level of stop and searches increased significantly – by 239% to 1173 – and remained high the following year when the order was no longer active, up almost 2.4% to 1201.

Feelings of "territoriality", combined with young people's fears of straying out of their own area, meant gangs tended not to travel to other parts of Glasgow.

And a large part of the community felt they were not informed enough about the purpose and use of dispersal zones, with only one in four people claiming to fully understand the powers available.

The researchers conducted in-depth interviews with eight police officers, 10 partner organisations, including Glasgow City Council, Strathclyde Police's Gangs Task Force, and the Parkhead Youth Project.

A survey was also carried out among 110 members of the community while three focus groups were held with people aged 16–24.

Dr Robertson added: "The use of dispersal powers is inevitably a short-term remedy – intended to provide 'respite' to communities.

"However, for any benefits that accrue to be sustainable in the longer term, there needs to be a clear exit strategy in place, and any such strategy should also involve the police taking an engagement role rather than a purely enforcement one."

Superintendent Martin Cloherty, at Greater Glasgow Division, said: "The dispersal initiative that ran for about six months in 2009/2010 was introduced following concerns in the community about groups hanging around the area and acting in a disorderly, aggressive and highly disruptive manner.

"Police worked closely with Glasgow City Council and other agencies and the initiative led to a dramatic decrease in anti-social behaviour.

"Those found loitering in the streets were given information about the many leisure and diversionary activities available, as well as support to help gain access to employment."

rachel.loxton@ eveningtimes.co.uk