Police will have additional powers this weekend after reports yobs are "intimidating people and setting off fireworks".
Merseyside Police has introduced a dispersal order for the Halewood area following further reports of anti-social behaviour among groups of youths aged between 13 and 17. It comes after a dispersal order just last weekend following similar reports.
The order will run from 6pm this evening, Friday, October 14, until 5.59pm on Sunday, October 16, where officers will be in the area to provide a visible presence and deal with any incidents. The Dispersal Zone covers areas in the town including Baileys Lane, Greensbridge Lane, Cartbridge Lane, Lydiate Lane, Loop Line and Higher Road.
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These reports relate to recent incidents of anti-social behaviour in the area, including fireworks being thrown on the roads and yobs congregating in large groups, intimidating people and setting off fireworks.
Community Policing Inspector Mark Berry said: "Recently we have been dealing with several incidents in this area, including fireworks being bought and set off by teenagers who have caused alarm and fear in our community. We know the distress that such reckless behaviour can cause, and the risk it carries to people in the street, so we’re committed to using all available powers to take action.
"The dispersal zone is not designed to prevent young people, or anyone else, from meeting in the area this weekend. The dispersal zone is designed to give us the powers we need to deal effectively with anti-social behaviour and keep our community in Halewood safe.
"As we approach the Bonfire period we would be grateful for any information around the illegal sale of fireworks to young people. If you are out and about in Halewood this weekend please continue to report incidents like these to Police and if you are are able to tell us where fireworks are being bought by teenagers please let us know so we can prevent these crimes.
"Please do not take matters into your own hands, speak to our officers out on patrol or contact us so we can take action."
The dispersal order comes under Section 35 of the Anti-Social Behaviour and Policing Act 2014, which 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.
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 for.
Always call 999 if a crime is in progress. You can pass any information on anti-social behaviour via the force'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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