A dispersal order at Liverpool waterfront has been extended again after a man was arrested for carrying a weapon.
Merseyside Police has extended a dispersal zone at Liverpool waterfront for a second time as gangs continue to cause chaos in the area. One police inspector described how gangs had caused "distress and intimidation" to people going about their day over the last few weeks.
One incident saw a gang of kids board a Liverpool sightseeing bus, start the engine and get off it. This caused the bus to roll forward and crash into a metal fence and a pile of bricks.
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Further incidents included assault, causing anti-social behaviour, criminal damage and robbery offences.
Police were called to reports that a man was acting aggressive towards members of the public on Church Street, at around 5.30pm on Wednesday, April 5. Officers issued him with a Dispersal Order and asked him leave the city centre within 15 minutes and not to return for 48 hours.
Later that evening, at around 8.15pm, officers then responded to further reports that a man was waving a knife around on Bold Street and behaving in a threatening manner.
A 23-year-old man from Kirkdale was arrested on suspicion of breach of a dispersal order, affray, possession of a bladed article, threats to kill and criminal damage. He is in custody and being questioned by police.
Community Policing Inspector Jack Woodward said: “As it is the school holidays and the daylight hours are getting longer, this sadly causes a small minority of youths to cause trouble and distress to others in the city centre, and this behaviour is totally unacceptable. Our high visible police presence and the Dispersal Order is a proactive approach to prevent such disorder from taking place, and it is working as we have issued a number of Dispersal Notices to youths and made arrests.
“In one such instance we arrested a 23-year-old man on suspicion of a number of offences including breaching a Dispersal Order issued to him earlier in the day yesterday and being in possession of a weapon. I continue to urge parents and guardians to know where your child is and what they are up to, as we all need to play a part so that Liverpool is known for the right reasons as a vibrant and welcoming place for all to enjoy.”
Officers will be in the area to provide a visible presence and deal with any incidents. The Dispersal Zone covers the areas within, including and bounded by the River Mersey, St Nicholas Place, Chapel Street, Tithebarn Street, Great Crosshall Street, Byrom Street, William Brown Street, Lime Street, Renshaw Street, Berry Street, Great Georges Street, St James Place, Stanhope Street and Mariners Wharf.
The 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 ultimately be arrested for.
Anyone who wishes to report anti-social or criminal behaviour can contact @MerPolCC, 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. Always call 999 in an emergency.
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