A Dispersal Zone is being introduced in Bootle today, following a disturbance in the Acorn Way area

A Dispersal Zone is being introduced in Bootle today, Tuesday 12 April, following a disturbance in the Acorn Way area yesterday evening.

The order starts at 6pm today, lasting until 6pm on Thursday 14 April and officers will be in the area to deal with any incidents.

The Dispersal Zone covers the area inside the map bounded by Marsh Lane, Hawthorne Road, Linacre Lane and Stanley Road.

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.

The order has been introduced following reports of anti-social behaviour, violence and criminal damage at Bootle Fair yesterday evening.

At around 8.05pm we received a report that a female youth had been assaulted by a male youth at Bootle Fair.

It was reported that security staff at the Fair ejected the male.

Following this it was reported that a large group of youths gathered outside the Fair to challenge security staff.

Police attended to disperse the group and bricks and bottles were thrown at officers.

Two police vehicles were damaged during the incident and an officer suffered minor injuries.

Three youths reported that they has been assaulted by security staff during the incident and sustained minor injuries.

Extensive enquiries into these reports are ongoing and anyone with any information is asked to contact police.

Community Policing Inspector Ray Mavrakakis said: “We have proactively put this Dispersal Zone in place following a disturbance at Bootle Fair yesterday evening

“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.

“Our enquiries into incidents at Bootle Fair last night remain ongoing and we’d urge anyone with any information to come forward.”

Anyone who wishes to report anti-social or criminal behaviour can contact Merseyside Police Contact Centre, 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. Always call 999 in an emergency.