Dispersal Zone until 8pm Saturday in Crosby following antisocial behaviour amongst groups of youths

DISPERSAL ZONE | Merseyside police have introduced a Dispersal Zone in Crosby today, Thursday 11 August, following reports of antisocial behaviour amongst groups of youths in the area.

The order runs from 8pm today until 8pm on Saturday 13 August, and officers will be in the area to provide a visible presence and deal with any incidents.

The Dispersal Zone covers the area bounded in the map and includes Cambridge Road, Potters Barn Park, Manor Road, Hall Road East and Crosby beach.

The order comes under Section 34 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 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.

Community Policing Chief Inspector Tracie Trubshaw, said: “Recently our officers have received reports of youths behaving in an anti-social manner and setting fires in our green spaces around Crosby.

“We are clear that we will not tolerate such reckless, dangerous behaviour which puts our community at risk. This dispersal zone allows extra officers to remain in the area to disperse any groups causing such incidents, and to provide reassurance to the vast majority of law-abiding people in the area.

"I want to stress that the dispersal zone is not designed to prevent young people, or anyone else, from meeting in this area but gives us the powers we need to deal effectively with anti-social behaviour, enabling people of all ages to feel safer and enjoy everything our beautiful coastline has to offer.”

“If you are out and about enjoying the good weather on Crosby beach and have any concerns over the next few days, please speak to our officers out on patrol or contact us so we can take action.”

Always call 999 if a crime is in progress. You can pass any information on anti-social behaviour via our social media desk Merseyside Police Contact Centre on Twitter or 'Merseyside Police Contact Centre' on Facebook. You can also contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via their online form at: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/give-information.