There have been reports of 'horror stories' and racially motivated attacks in an area of north Liverpool that has been blighted by violence and anti-social behaviour.
Yesterday it was reported that police had introduced a dispersal order in the area of Broadway, Norris Green after increasing reports of criminal incidents. The order gives officers greater powers to force people to leave the area and to seize items and make arrests.
The ECHO reported on Thursday afternoon that police were called to reports of a group on the roof of a former bingo hall on Broadway. They were reportedly throwing bricks and pieces of slate onto the ground.
READ MORE: Road blocked as teens 'throw bricks and slate' off former bingo hall roof
Eyewitnesses said police blocked off the road while they dealt with the incident and a video shared with the ECHO showed four police cars at the scene. A spokesperson for Merseyside Police said a number of people were detained.
A 15-year-old girl was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage, a 14-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and assault of an emergency worker. He has been released under investigation pending further enquiries. Another 15-year-old girl was arrested on suspicion of assault of a constable, criminal damage and attempted criminal damage. A spokesperson for the force said enquiries remain ongoing.
Now the area's Member of Parliament, Dan Carden, has spoken out about some of the concerning incidents in the area in recent weeks. Mr Carden visited Broadway last week to speak to business owners about the incidents they have been facing.
He told the ECHO that some of the crimes taking place appear to be racially motivated. The Walton MP said: "Local businesses and residents are worried that the recent spike in crime and anti-social behaviour. I heard some horror stories.
"My team and I spoke to staff in a shop which had been the target of criminal damage and another worker who was the victim of an assault. It is disturbing that some of these crimes appear to be racially motivated. No one should feel unsafe on our streets or at work.
"I am liaising with community police and the local authority on the response. Ours is a welcoming, close-knit community and there is no place for the kind of hateful acts we have seen recently."
The police dispersal order will be enforced was put in place at 4pm on Thursday and will run until 4pm on Saturday. Officers will be in the area to deal with any incidents.
The zone begins at Utting Avenue - including the junction up to Lambourne Road. It then goes round the roundabout onto Utting Avenue East, up to and including Lorenzo drive towards Broad Lane and then around the roundabout, back down onto Broad Lane towards Utting Avenue.
Under the legislation, officers have the power to seize any item, including vehicles, 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 be arrested for.
Acting Inspector Paul Makin said: “We have proactively put this Dispersal Zone in place following an increase in crime and antisocial behaviour in the area around Broadway. Last night Broadway had to be closed while officers dealt with a number of youths causing damage from a derelict building which included the throwing of missiles at members of the public and attending police officers. A number of youths were detained at the scene and arrested for criminal damage and other offences. This caused significant disruption to our community.
“This behaviour is unacceptable and will not be tolerated. Merseyside Police will work alongside the community, and partner agencies to ensure that anyone responsible will be identified and dealt with using all available legislation.
“The order isn’t designed to impact upon the vast majority of law-abiding members of the community but to deal with any issues, prevent offences from taking place and ensure residents and businesses are not subjected to any anti-social or criminal behaviour. In addition to the dispersal zone there are long term problem solving measures ongoing.”
Anyone who wishes to report anti-social or criminal behaviour in their community can contact @MerPolCC, 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. Always call 999 in an emergency.
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