Merseyside Police has introduced a Section 34 dispersal zone in Kirkby following an increase in reports of anti-social behaviour involving fireworks.
The order was introduced from 5pm today, Friday 17 October until 1am on Sunday 19 October and includes the area bounded by County Road, Headbolt Lane, Pingwood Lane, Shevington’s Lane, Bank Lane, Prescot Road, Glovers Brow, Kirkby Row, Valley Road, Bewley Drive.
The Section 34, which is under the Anti-Social Behaviour & Policing Act 2014, gives officers and police community support traffic officers powers to direct people who are engaging in anti-social behaviour or are likely to become involved in such incidents away from the area.
Should a person who has previously been directed to leave the area return, an offence would be committed, which they may ultimately be arrested. It also gives officers the power to seize any item that could be used for anti-social behaviour.
Chief Inspector Paul Rannard said: “The dispersal zone has been introduced as a result of a number of recent incidents in the area, many of which have involved the antisocial use of fireworks and other nuisance behaviour by groups of youths gathering in the town.
“We will not tolerate antisocial behaviour of any kind and we will continue to take action to ensure that those who commit it are dealt with appropriately.
“The introduction of this dispersal zone aims to reduce the likelihood of law-abiding members of the public being impacted by incidents of crime or disorder this weekend so that they can go about their normal business.
“We would ask that people continue to support us as we take this action and tell us about incidents of antisocial behaviour where they live.”
Anyone with information on ASB in their area is asked to contact Merseyside Police social media desk via X @MerPolCC or on Facebook ‘Merseyside Police Contact Centre’.
You can also report information via our website: https://www.merseyside.police.uk/ro/report/ocr/af/how-to-report-a-crime/ or call 101.
Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, or via their website here: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/forms/give-information-anonymously. In an emergency always call 999.