Police will introduce a dispersal zone in an area of Liverpool following reports of several incidents of anti-social behaviour.
The order will be enforced in the area of Broadway, Norris Green and will run from 4pm on Thursday, June 23 until 4pm on Saturday, June 25. Officers will be in the area to deal with any incidents.
The dispersal 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.
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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 in Norris Green. They were reportedly throwing bricks and pieces of slate onto the ground.
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.
The dispersal order comes under Section 35 of the Anti-Social Behaviour & 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, 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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