ATHENS (AP) - Police on the island of Crete are turning thumbs down on hippies in an effort to protect archeological finds.

The police implied that a group of hippies who live in caves near the town of Matala discourage tourism to old Roman tombs and other structures being unearthed.

A police spokesman said the 150 hippies already living in the caves may stay. But if they go, he said, they may not return. And no new members will be allowed to join the hippie commune.

Earlier this year hippies tried to hold a congress at Matala, but local churchmen and citizens opposed the proposal and the Greek government refused permission for the assembly.