A dispersal order is in place in Middleton town centre tonight (Tuesday) as police crackdown on 'feral yobs' plauging businesses and shoppers.
The 48-hour order - which came into force yesterday (Monday) - means anyone who refuses to leave the town centre, or who returns after being made to move on, can be arrested.
It comes after police recieived a 'high number' of reports of anti-social behaviour in Middleton Gardens.
Youths have gone into shops, damaging stock and abusing staff, police say.
In one incident a plant pot was thrown at a shop worker, hitting them in the chest.
A post on the GMP Middleton Facebook page on Sunday night described the troublemakers as 'yobbish'.
It added: "Middleton Town Centre is currently experiencing a high number of reports regarding Anti Social Behaviour (or rather YOBBISH behavior) being caused by a large group of youths that are running in and out of shops such as Tesco, Subway, McDonalds to name a few.
"They are entering these shops as a group and being abusive to staff and customers as well as throwing stock around.
"We do not want to be criminalising children, but sadly, it seems that behind their parents backs, they are turning themselves this way.
"If you think your child may be hanging around in large groups in and around Middleton Gardens, please have a word with them and ask them to have a long think about their behavior (sic).
"Indeed, one Police Officer who has encountered the group recently has described them as FeralI (sic)."
On Tuesday officers again urged the parents of those involved to speak with their children, posting: "Please, if you think your children maybe involved can you explain the implications to them.
"We are currently undertaking work with those already identified."
