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A dispersal zone has been put in place until Monday
Merseyside Police have been given extra powers this weekend following reports of criminal and anti-social behaviour in Liverpool city centre. A Dispersal Zone has been put in place across the city centre today (Saturday, March 8) lasting until Monday, March 10.
It is the fourth successive order in place in the city centre and runs from 5pm today until 12.59am on Monday. Officers will be in the city providing a visible presence and dealing with any incidents throughout the period of the order.
The order follows a number of reports of youths in the city taking drugs, throwing stones and intimidating and threatening members of the public. Areas covered by the dispersal zone include William Brown Street, London Road, Seymour Street, Russell Street, Clarence Street, Rodney Street, Upper Duke Street, Great George Street, Nelson Street, Bridgewater Street, Chaloner Street, Queens Wharf, Kings Parade, Mann Island, George Place, St Nicholas Place, Chapel Street, Tithebarn Street, Great Crosshall Street and Byrom Street.
The order comes under Section 34 of the Anti-Social Behaviour & Policing Act 2014, which gives police 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. These powers will not be used for anyone visiting the area and going about their daily business.
Under the legislation, officers have the power to seize any item used in the commission of anti-social behaviour. Should a person who has previously been directed to leave the area return, an offence would be committed, which they may ultimately be arrested.
Liverpool Neighbourhood Local Policing Inspector Jack Woodward said: “Visitors to this city and people living and working in the city centre should not be exposed to a mindless of a minority of youths who have shown a complete disregard for others.
“The overwhelming majority of people who visit this city have a safe and enjoyable time. But there have been reports this week of hotel guests subject to abuse and intimidating behaviour, shop staff threatened as they try to earn a living and boats moored at docks being burgled and youths taking suspected Class A drugs in the street.
“None of this is acceptable, and we have now introduced four dispersal orders on successive nights to enhance our powers to protect the public.
“We have increased visible patrols in the city centre and this dispersal zone gives those officers in the area extra powers to approach people they suspect may be there to commit anti-social behaviour or other crimes.
“This order is in place to ensure residents and businesses are not subjected to any such behaviour, and I would ask people to continue reporting any concerns and we will take action.
“I would also urge parents and guardians to know where the young people in your care are, and think about what they may be doing. If they return to the city centre after being directed not to by police, they could well find themselves being arrested.
“I would encourage anyone who has been issued a Direction to Leave notice not to come back into the city centre during the time that has been specified to them by officers. By returning to the city centre you would be committing an offence and could end up in custody.
“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.”
Always call 999 if a crime is in progress. You can pass any information on anti-social behaviour via our social media desk @MerPolCC on Twitter or ‘Merseyside Police Contact Centre’ on Facebook.
You can also contact the independent charity Crime stoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via their online form at: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/give-information. You can also follow ‘Liverpool Police’ on Facebook for updates and advice.
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