Police have been given extra powers to tackle anti-social behaviour in the area
Festivalgoers turned out for the second day of the Big Weekend festival on Saturday(Image: Liverpool Echo)
Merseyside Police have been given extra powers to tackle anti-social behaviour in the area surrounding the BBC Radio 1 festival site. The dispersal zone covers Sefton Park and was introduced in the last hour as festivalgoers enjoyed music from Stockport indie band Blossoms.
The order runs from 6pm until midnight tonight, Saturday 24 May, and includes the area outlined in the map. As well as the park, the zone covers Aigburth Road from Ampthill Road to Livingston Road North and Queens Drive from Aigburth Vale to Mossley Hill Drive.
Surrounding streets such as Lark Lane and Greenbank Drive are also included. The Section 34, which is under the Anti-Social Behaviour & Policing Act 2014, gives officers and police community support traffic officers powers to direct people who are engaging in anti-social behaviour, or are likely to become involved in such incidents, away from the area.
Should a person who has previously been directed to leave the area return, an offence would be committed, which they may ultimately be arrested. It also gives officers the power to seize any item that could be used for anti-social behaviour.
Chief Inspector Iain Wyke said: “We have a robust policing plan in place around the park for the duration of the Radio 1 Big Weekend event so that law-abiding members of the public can enjoy themselves.
“More officers will be in the area and if they suspect or witness anyone causing anti-social behaviour they will be dealt with through the powers of these Orders.
“We take reports of ASB extremely seriously and share the views of most people who believe this behaviour has no place in our communities.
“We would urge parents/guardians to know where your children and young people are and who they’re with, to ensure they don’t become involved in situations which could cause disruption or distress.”
The dispersal zone covers Sefton Park and the surrounding area(Image: Merseyside Police/Google)
Festivalgoers flocked to Sefton Park today for the second day of Radio 1’s Big Weekend. The city was chosen to host the 2025 festival, which takes over a new location every summer.
The usually tranquil green space in the heart of the city is almost unrecognisable thanks to four stages, a big wheel and countless flags, disco balls and light installations that have transformed it into a music lover’s paradise.
Festival gates opened at 11am today, with ticketholders looking forward to performances from Sam Fender, Blossoms, Sugababes, Tom Odell, Aitch and AJ Tracey and Inhaler.
Shortly after gates opened at 11am, BBC Radio 1 DJ and Breakfast host Greg James announced the ‘special guest’ who was set to open the New Music Stage at 1.15pm was Ed Sheeran.
The surprise announcement was met with huge excitement from fans, as Greg revealed Ed Sheeran would be performing. A huge number of festival attendees rushed to get to the stage for the surprise performance, with security taking the decision to close off the area during the set in order to keep everyone safe.