A rise in anti-social behaviour in Shirley has forced a supermarket to restrict the number of unsupervised children allowed in the shop at the end of the school day.

Only five or six children are being let into the Co-op on Shirley Road at once due to the disruptive behaviour, which resulted in a dispersal order being issued by police two weeks ago.

Rumours online said that the shop on Foyes Corner was not allowing any children for the nearby St Marks School into the shop, but this has been denied by Co-op.

A spokesperson for the supermarket told the Echo that due to "localised issues" the number of unsupervised children has instead been restricted.

They said that anti-social behaviour and shop theft should not be part of the job as Co-op shops work to serve and support communities.

READ MORE: Dispersal order issued in Shirley after anti-social behaviour

The supermarket is committed to ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience for customers, a spokesperson said, and it has therefore been "necessary" to limit the amount of children.

On May 15, a member of staff was assaulted at Shirley Library, sparking a dispersal order being put in place by police.

Reports of disruptive behaviour in the district have continued to run rife on social media since.