A 'large' group of youths had to be dispersed from an Isle of Wight park after they were spotted by police 'drinking alcohol and using cannabis'.

Officers PCSO Downing and PCSO Wheeler, from Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary, were on foot patrol in Ventnor last night (Friday).

After spotting the group, they were soon joined by PC Carey and Sgt Sharland.

With a Section 34 Dispersal order 'in hand', the officers said they 'divided and conquered', moving them from Ventnor Park, via Flowers Brook and Steephill Cove.

Posting on Facebook, Sgt Sharland said: "With the help of officers from Sgt Pegler's 'A' Shift District Patrol Team we managed to separate and remove the group from Ventnor entirely."

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Earlier in the night, officers patrolled Sandown and Lake and gave talks at schools and youth clubs in Shanklin and Sandown.

Sgt Sharland said: "Anti-Social behaviour continues to reduce throughout the Bay - in part due to the robust tactics we demonstrated in Ventnor last night and also due to strong partnership work with education, youth justice, health, youth diversion services and other key partners under Operation Spider."

Operation Spider seeks to ensure children are protected from the risks of criminal and sexual exploitation, and diverted away from environments which could see them pursue criminal or anti-social behaviour themselves.