Essex police have been granted extra powers to ban people from Clacton town centre for 48 hours if they are causing trouble in a bid to “quell the anti-social behaviour”.

It comes after two women officers were assaulted during a “disturbance” in the Jackson Road area on August 8, one of whom was slashed across the face with garden shears.

A dispersal order, which has been obtained following the agreement of Tendring District Council, will be in place between 9am on August 10 and 9am on August 12.

It covers Jackson Road, Rosemary Road, The Grove, Alexandra Road, Station Road, Carnarvon Road, Marine Parade East, Marine Parade West and Edith Road, and gives officers the power to order anyone to leave the area for 48 hours if they have reasonable grounds to believe they are committing or likely to commit anti-social behaviour, crime and disorder.

Officers can also confiscate items and transport anyone under the age of 16 home or to a place of safety.

Inspector Pete Gerard, of Clacton Community Policing Team, said: “We are aware that there has been a rise in incidents in the Clacton town centre area and have listened to people’s concerns.

“The actions of a few are clearly affecting the ability for everyone to enjoy their community. This order will enable officers to react to those incidents and take action to stop anti-social behaviour.

“The use of this legislation may seem quite strong and in essence the order does permit officers to exclude persons from an area, the decision to implement this order is not taken lightly. However, faced with the reports we have received, this is a proportionate response.

“I am confident the order and increased policing over the next two days will quell some of the anti-social behaviour and we can build on the activity with some longer term action against identified offenders.”