ACTION is under way to try and stamp out gang violence and disorder in Bexley.

As moves are made by Bexley police and the council to try and get the spiralling problem under control, one angry and frustrated parent has launched his own campaign.

The police are using their powers under the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003 to create two new dispersal zones in the borough, which will come into force for six months from June 5.

The orders will cover the town centres of Bexleyheath and Welling and will allow police to break up groups of two or more people congregating there.

Police have stressed the orders are not designed to affect anyone going about their normal business.

Head of operations Superintendent Martin Bagg says the dispersal orders are not curfews.

He added: "They do not create no go' areas.

"Residents and visitors can go about their everyday business and leisure."

But if anyone is behaving in a threatening manner or their presence as a group is intimidating, police will have the power to move them on.

Backing up the orders, to make sure the problems are not just displaced to other areas, there are a series of other initiatives.

Bexley has received £10,000 funding from the Home Office for the Alcohol Misuse Enforcement Campaign, which is paying for an inspector, two sergeants and 10 PCs to staff a mobile CCTV van.

It will respond to reports of youth disorder and film it and if the group moves on to another area, the van will follow.

Supt Bagg said: "We will follow them around all night if we have to."

He has promised tough action throughout the summer, with teams of police forming a response group to deal with disorder reports and Safer Neighbourhood teams on duty where possible from 6pm to 2am on Friday nights and 4pm to midnight on Saturdays.

All police leave will be cancelled for England's World Cup qualifying games to stamp out potential trouble.

Police will be on duty from 4pm to midnight for the first game against Paraguay and from 6pm to 2am for the other two matches.

A whole series of other initiatives are also in the pipeline to deal with the problem of youth disorder in the long-term.

Meanwhile a Thamesmead parent, whose children have been attacked by Thamesmead gang T Block, has launched a campaign to rid the area of gang members.

The man, who wants to remain anonymous, is urging people to join forces and has launched a website to gather support.

People will be able to download a poster and sign an online petition.

He said: "If we get the community together and show T Block we are not walking blind, the police will have to do something."