The gates of Bishop's Waltham Junior School are to be locked after students head home in a bid to curb anti-social behaviour.

Headteacher Darren Campbell announced the change following several complaints to Hampshire Police over the last few weeks of large gatherings on the school's grounds.

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Groups of young people have reportedly been playing loud music during evenings and weekends, disturbing residents in the area.

The school says it has been working in conjunction with Winchester City Council, PCSOs and Community Support Officers to find a solution and will now lock the playground out of school hours.

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Mr Campbell said: "We appreciate that there has been access to the school grounds for a very long time, and this decision may not be popular. However, anti-social behaviour is likely to cause harassment, alarm and distress to a person.

"We want to try to deal with this by education and ask you to speak to any young people who have used the school grounds in the past to use the local play areas. Thank you so much for your support and understanding."

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