The police are implementing a wide-ranging a dispersal zone across most of Richmond borough through to Kingston for the third time in a row.

The zone effectively allows the police to break up groups of teens and order them to leave the area.

It will cover most of Richmond, including Richmond Green and the Riverside, through Twickenham, Teddington and Bushy Park to Kingston town centre.

The action was provoked by problems two weeks ago when crowds of teens and young adults from across London gathered around Richmond Green and the town centre.

There was widespread evidence of violence, including attacks on the police, drunkenness, vandalism and antisocial behaviour.

Images were posted on social media of huge numbers of teens outside the McDonald's outlet near the station.

Thee Section 35 dispersal order begins at 4pm on Friday runs through until 7am on Sunday morning.

Explaining the decision, Richmond Police said: "A gathering resulted in multiple arrests, assault on police, damage to property at Richmond McDonalds and antisocial behaviour."

They said the very large area involved is 'based on the history of crowds of people gathering in last few months arranged through social media'.

The order gives the police and designated individuals the power to order people to leave an area, under a threat of arrest if they fail to comply.

The police added that when the dispersal order is in place, it is an offence to fail to comply with a direction given by a police officer or PCSO to disperse; fail to surrender items likely to cause ASB; or return within a specified period.

Kingston town centre is included as this has previously been a site of anti-social behaviour from these groups.

The police said that people can report antisocial behaviour online here: https://met.police.uk/ro/report/asb/asb/report-antisocial-behaviour/ - or call 101.

Richmond Council recently announced that its Safe Space initiative, which involves council officers, the police and volunteers, is to be extended.

The scheme is designed to offer help, reassurance and a refuge to those worried about their safety in Richmond town centre.

Just a few weeks ago, police launched an investigation into allegations of a serious sexual assault on a 17 year-old female, which took place on the Little Green, near Richmond Theatre.

The Safe Space scheme operates from a marquee that is outside Richmond rail station and runs from 9pm to 1am on Friday and Saturday evenings.

The Council said: "As the marquee has garnered a significant positive response from the public as well as several successful police interventions, it will continue to serve residents this autumn."

Launched by Richmond Council and staffed by Community Police, British Transport Police, council workers, Street Pastors and volunteers, the marquee can give support to anyone out during the evening who may be feeling vulnerable.

The police are on hand to intervene where necessary and visitors are also able to find information on White Ribbon, domestic abuse services and the Railway Guardian app.