Gangs of yobs have caused havoc at Liverpool waterfront with people being attacked and intimidated.
Merseyside Police have put a dispersal zone in place at Liverpool waterfront after reports of gangs of kids causing trouble in the area over recent weeks. One police inspector described how the gangs had cause "distress and intimidation" to people going about their day.
Some incidents included assault, causing anti-social behaviour, criminal damage and robbery offences. Now an order had been put in place to help prevent youths gathering in the area.
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The order started at 4pm on Tuesday, April 4 and continues until 2am on Wednesday, April 5, where it will be further reviewed. 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.
Community Policing Inspector Jack Woodward said: “We have received reports over recent weeks of youths gathering within Liverpool city centre, causing anti-social behaviour, assault, criminal damage and robbery offences. We have proactively put this dispersal in place to prevent youths gathering and causing unnecessary distress and intimidation to people who want to go about their business without fear or harm.
"We have increased patrols in the area, and this latest action of a dispersal zone is to deal with any issues and prevent offences from taking place – especially now that the daylight hours are getting longer. This order is to ensure residents and businesses are not subjected to any such behaviour, and I would ask people to continue reporting any concerns and we will take action.
“I would urge parents and guardians to know where young people in your care are, to further assist us in dealing with those who cause trouble.”
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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