Police powers to break up gangs of yobs in Bicester will not be renewed when they run out next week.

The town's dispersal order, which covers the King's End and Greenwood estates, has been in force for a year but runs out on Tuesday.

Thames Valley Police joined forces with Cherwell District Council to apply for the extra powers last spring after identifying the area as a magnet for antisocial behaviour and criminal damage to cars.

And they extended them for a further six months in October.

The dispersal order gave police the power to move groups of two or more people away from the estates between 5pm and 6am.

Those who refused to leave, or who came back within 24 hours, were liable to arrest.

Last summer police said recorded crime in the area had halved since the powers were launched.

But officers insisted the dispersal order was never meant to be a permanent solution. Spokesman Victoria Bartlett said: "It was always our intention that the introduction of neighbourhood management (policing) and dedicated neighbourhood police teams would replace the order.

"We also have extra resources, as two police community support officers have joined the team, and another is undergoing training.

"We hope this extra uniformed presence will help improve the quality of life for residents.

"We would be very disappointed if we had to look at renewing the order, but this is an option and we will monitor the situation."

Bicester's dispersal order was the second to be granted in Oxfordshire.

A police survey earlier this year showed 72 per cent of residents in the Bicester West area, which includes the dispersal zone, said groups of youths loitering in public places was one of their top three concerns.

To report problems, call police on 08458 505505.

Alternatively, email Bicester.Neighbourhood@ thamesvalley.pnn.police.uk