A dispersal zone has been introduced at a busy Merseyside beach for the hottest days of the week.
Merseyside Police has confirmed that a dispersal zone has been introduced in Crosby today, Thursday, August 11, after a number of reports of antisocial behaviour by children in the area. The order, which gives police increased powers in a specific area, will be in place from 8pm today until 8pm on Saturday, August 13.
Officers will be in the area to provide a visible presence and deal with any incidents. The zone includes Cambridge Road, Potters Barn Park, Manor Road, Hall Road East and Crosby beach.
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The order is implemented by police under section 34 of the Anti-Social Behaviour & Policing Act 2014 which allows police officers and community support traffic officers powers to disperse people from the area for up to 48 hours if they suspect they are causing or likely to cause crime, nuisance or anti-social behaviour.
The law allows officers to seize any item used in anti-social behaviour and if a person who has been told to leave the area returns they may be arrested. Community Policing Chief Inspector Tracie Trubshaw said: “Recently our officers have received reports of youths behaving in an anti-social manner and setting fires in our green spaces around Crosby.
“We are clear that we will not tolerate such reckless, dangerous behaviour which puts our community at risk. This dispersal zone allows extra officers to remain in the area to disperse any groups causing such incidents, and to provide reassurance to the vast majority of law-abiding people in the area.
"I want to stress that the dispersal zone is not designed to prevent young people, or anyone else, from meeting in this area but gives us the powers we need to deal effectively with anti-social behaviour, enabling people of all ages to feel safer and enjoy everything our beautiful coastline has to offer.”
“If you are out and about enjoying the good weather on Crosby beach and have any concerns over the next few days, please speak to our officers out on patrol or contact us so we can take action.”
Always call 999 if a crime is in progress. You can pass any information on anti-social behaviour via Merseyside Police's social media desk @MerPolCC on Twitter or 'Merseyside Police Contact Centre' on Facebook. You can also contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via their online form at: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/give-information.
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