Police in Burnham-on-Sea could soon have extended powers to move on groups of vehicles congregating in supermarket and council-run car parks.

As part of a crackdown on anti-social behaviour, officers could be allowed to issue dispersal orders following support by town councillors.

A dispersal order provides the police with additional powers to disperse groups of two or more people.

They are used where officers have reasonable grounds for believing that a group's presence or behaviour has resulted, or is likely to result, in a member of the public being harassed, intimidated, alarmed or distressed.

Once asked to disperse, it will be a criminal offence for that person or group to return to the dispersal area for a 24-hour period.

The idea to introduce the scheme in Burnham came from Inspector Roger Tolley in response to complaints from residents.

He said: "We are proposing to introduce dispersal orders at the Morrisons car park in Pier Street and other supermarket and council-run car parks across Burnham and Highbridge.

"There have been many complaints about anti-social behaviour over the years caused by groups of vehicles congregating in car parks.

"This would help us tackle the issue."

Town clerk Eileen Shaw said: "Councillors are keen to see these problems tackled and are happy to give support to this proposal."

Dispersal orders have been used in Weston-super-Mare in recent years where they have proved a huge success in areas affected by anti-social behaviour.