Yeovil Police are sending out a clear message that nuisance behaviour will not be tolerated.

Currently in the Somerset East district of Avon and Somerset Constabulary - which covers Yeovil - there are nine people covered by anti-social behaviour orders and the police and other agencies are actively pursuing another five.

Anti-social behaviour can be anything from vandalism, causing noise or dropping litter.

An anti-social behaviour order places restrictions on people who have caused nuisance behaviour such as a curfew or not allowing them to visit certain areas.

The order can be imposed by itself or it can form part of a criminal sentence.

People who breach the order can receive up to five years in prison.

Police keep a close eye on those who have had orders imposed against them and recently one man was sentenced to four months imprisonment for breaching his order.

Somerset East's anti-social behaviour co-ordinator, Roger Blanthorne, said: "Over the past four years anti-social behaviour orders have severely curtailed the criminal nuisance behaviour by a few individuals that has caused misery to citizens in their homes and work place.

"It is a useful tool to assist the police, together with our crime and disorder reduction partners and members of the public to fight back against these people."

Yeovil town centre manager, Nina Higgins, added: "There is no doubt that these anti-social behaviour orders are beginning to bite and take an effect in Yeovil.

"People have had enough of anti-social behaviour that impinges on their right to enjoy a peaceful life.

"Those who persist in making a nuisance of themselves should understand that they will have such an order imposed on them and if they breach it, then the likelihood is they will serve a custodial sentence."