A SERIAL offender responsible for repeated acts of anti-social behaviour has been banned from Christchurch for five years.

Now police have warned others that they will take action against anyone causing harassment, alarm or distress to the public.

Gary Steven Woolgrove, 22, was handed a five-year Criminal Behaviour Order at Bournemouth Crown Court in September last year after being convicted of affray and breach of a non-molestation order in November 2015.

Woolgrove was released from prison on September 22 this year.

Woolgrove was issued the order in response to his repeated offending and behaviour likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress. The order was sought by officers from the Christchurch Neighbourhood Policing Team.

The Criminal Behaviour Order is in place for five years and states that Woolgrove must not enter the borough of Christchurch.

Police Constable James Layfield, of Christchurch Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: "Gary Woolgrove is a persistent offender who has a large number of convictions for various theft, burglary, criminal damage and anti-social behaviour-related offences.

"Woolgrove is now banned from entering Christchurch and we hope the restrictions of this order will reduce the impact his behaviour and offending has on residents and visitors.

"We hope this order reminds the community that Dorset Police will take action when concerns are raised in relation to an individual who causes harassment, alarm or distress to members of the public."