Officers have been granted special police powers to deal with anti-social behaviour in Aintree this weekend.
A dispersal zone has been put in place from today, Friday, April 8, after reports of criminal behaviour from children. The order will run until 11.59pm on Saturday, April 9, when it will be further reviewed.
Police have received increase reports of 'groups of youths' gathering in the Aintree area that are causing harassment, alarm, and distress to residents and businesses in the community. As a result officers now have the power to seize any item, including vehicles, used in the commission of anti-social behaviour.
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The order comes under Section 35 of the Anti-Social Behaviour & Policing Act 2014, which also gives police officers and police community support traffic officers powers to direct people they suspect are causing or likely to cause crime, nuisance or anti-social behaviour to members of the public to leave a designated area and not return for up to 48 hours.
Should a person who has previously been directed to leave the area return, an offence would be committed, which they may be arrested for. The dispersal Zone covers the area bounded by the M57, Dunningsbridge Road, Netherton Way, Longmoor Lane A506, Orrell Road, Aintree Lane and Switch Island.
Community Policing Inspector Ray Mavrakakis said: "We have proactively put this dispersal in place to prevent youths gathering and causing unnecessary distress and intimidation to people who want to go about their business without fear or harm. Thousands of people are visiting Aintree for the Grand National this weekend and the dispersal zone has been introduced to ensure that race-goers can have an enjoyable visit free from anti-social behaviour and the disruption this causes.
"The dispersal zone isn’t designed to spoil anyone’s fun but to deal with any issues, prevent offences from taking place and ensure residents, businesses and visitors are not subjected to any anti-social behaviour. We have an increased police presence around Aintree racecourse, Aintree Village and the retail park 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 young people in your care are, to further assist us in dealing with those who cause trouble." Anyone who wishes to report anti-social or criminal behaviour can contact @MerPolCC, 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
