Officers will be patrolling one area of Liverpool tonight
Western Avenue in Speke, which is covered by the dispersal zone(Image: Andrew Teebay Liverpool Echo)
A dispersal zone will return to a Liverpool area for the second weekend in a row as part of an ongoing operation to tackle anti-social behaviour.
Bus services were suspended earlier this month, avoiding the bus stops at Speke Morrisons, after Merseyside Police received a report a group of youths had started a fire on the upstairs deck of a bus parked outside the supermarket. On Saturday, January 15, it was reported the group managed to escape when the bus driver went upstairs.
When he confronted them outside, he was reportedly assaulted and had his glasses broken. The bus driver managed to drive away without injury. Two 13-year-old boys from Speke were arrested on suspicion of assault and attempted criminal damage. They have been conditionally bailed pending enquiries.
Off the back of this, a dispersal zone was introduced in the area last weekend, with officers issuing 14 notices to youths. The order, under Section 34 the Anti-Social Behaviour and Policing Act 2014, gives officers the 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 for.
It also gives officers the power to seize any item that could be used for anti-social behaviour.
The order will return again tonight (Friday, January 23) from 5pm until 5pm on Sunday, January 25. Officers will patrol the area to provide a visible presence and deal with any incidents.
The dispersal zone covers and includes the area bounded by Speke Boulevard with the junction of Western Avenue, Western Avenue with the junction of Clough Road, Clough Road onto Alderfield Drive, Alderfield Drive onto Hale Drive, Hale Drive onto Hale Road, Hale Road to the junction with Speke Hall Avenue, Speke Hall Avenue onto the junction with Speke Boulevard.
A joint community Travelsafe surgery is held every two weeks at Morrisons in Speke, with the next one taking place between 5pm and 6pm on Thursday, January 29, for people to raise any concerns to police officers.
Neighbourhood Policing Chief Inspector Nathan Stockley said: “A high visibility police presence will continue in Speke, with officers in uniform and plain clothes on patrol to reassure the community that we are continuing to take action.
“We are also working with community partners to address this issue, including Merseyside Fire and Rescue, schools and youth provisions.
“This dispersal order is just one of many measures we are doing to tackle anti-social behaviour in Speke, and this dispersal zone will provide us with extra powers to remove people causing trouble, or likely to cause trouble.
“We will be in the area to provide reassurance to those people who simply want to shop or visit our neighbourhood without having to be confronted with this behaviour.
“I would urge parents and guardians to know where young people in your care are, to further assist us in dealing with those who cause trouble.“If you witness any anti-social behaviour or have any information about such incidents, please contact or speak to our officers and we will take action.”
Anyone with information on antisocial behaviour 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 police’s website: Report a crime | Merseyside Police or call 101. Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, or via their website here: Giving information | Crimestoppers. In an emergency always call 999.