The order allows police to arrest people if they return to an area they have been told to leave
Police officers have additional powers in one area of Merseyside this weekend(Image: Liverpool Echo)
Police officers have been handed additional powers this weekend following an increase in reports of antisocial behaviour in one area of Merseyside. A section 34 dispersal notice has been put in place in Kirkby from 5pm today, October 17, until 1am on Sunday, October 19.
The area is bounded by County Road, Headbolt Lane, Pingwood Lane, Shevington’s Lane, Bank Lane, Prescot Road, Glovers Brow, Kirkby Row, Valley Road, Bewley Drive.
The order, which is under the Anti-Social Behaviour and Policing Act 2014, allows Merseyside Police officers and police community support officers to direct people who are engaging in antisocial behaviour, or likely to become involved in such incidents, away from the area. If someone is asked to leave the area and then returns, they are committing an offence, and will be arrested.
The order also gives officers the chance to seize any item that could be used for antisocial behaviour.
Chief Inspector Paul Rannard said: “The dispersal zone has been introduced as a result of a number of recent incidents in the area, many of which have involved the antisocial use of fireworks and other nuisance behaviour by groups of youths gathering in the town.
“We will not tolerate antisocial behaviour of any kind and we will continue to take action to ensure that those who commit it are dealt with appropriately.
“The introduction of this dispersal zone aims to reduce the likelihood of law-abiding members of the public being impacted by incidents of crime or disorder this weekend so that they can go about their normal business.
“We would ask that people continue to support us as we take this action and tell us about incidents of antisocial behaviour where they live.”
Anyone with information on ASB in their area is asked to contact Merseyside Police social media desk via X @MerPolCC or on Facebook ‘Merseyside Police Contact Centre’.
You can also report information via the website: https://www.merseyside.police.uk/ro/report/ocr/af/how-to-report-a-crime/ or call 101.
Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, or via their website here: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/forms/give-information-anonymously. In an emergency always call 999.
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