More than 40 youngsters in Shifnal have signed up to a new boxing club which was set up to keep them off the streets.

Police introduced a Section 30 Dispersal Zone in January to enable them to move on adults or youngsters acting in an anti-social manner after receiving numerous complaints from the public.

Since the boxing sessions were introduced, anti-social behaviour has dramatically decreased, police have said.

The club at Idsall Sports Centre has been started by Bridgnorth District Community Safety Partnership, in conjunction with other agencies including the police, to respond to residents’ concerns about groups of teenagers hanging around at night.

Instead of just moving the young people on, they asked what would make things better.

The Section 30 order runs until April 30 and covers all highways and public spaces around the railway station, Aston Street and Cheapside in the town.

Nikki Witty, manger of the sports centre, said: “The boxing classes have only been running for a few weeks, but they have proved to be very popular and you can already see changes in the fitness levels and self confidence of the youngsters.”

Boxing classes take place on Thursday evenings from 7pm to 8pm for under 13s and from 8pm to 9pm for those aged 13 and over.