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An entire Greater Manchester town centre has been slapped with a fifth 48-hour dispersal order in just three weeks.

Greater Manchester Police has been regularly using the controversial tactic in Wigan as officers try to crack down on a spate of crime and anti-social behaviour. The first order was issued on September 11 after a 42-year-old man and a 14-year-old boy were stabbed at Wigan Interchange.

Both victims were left with injuries described by police as 'serious but not life-threatening'. Speaking at the time police said the knife attacks were part of a wave of incidents that were 'plaguing Wigan town centre'.

The latest order, which gives officers increased powers to remove anyone suspected of causing crime or anti-social behaviour from the area, came into force

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