Section 34 Dispersal Zone introduced in Liverpool City Centre

We have introduced a Dispersal Zone in Liverpool city centre today, Friday 4 June following reports of anti-social behaviour.

The order runs from 2pm today until 2pm on Sunday 6 June 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: 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, Mariners Wharf.

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 Inspector Charlotte Irlam said: “We’re putting this order in place following reports of large groups of youths gathering on the waterfront and the Whitechapel and Liverpool One areas, causing intimidation and damage to visitors and local businesses. This behaviour will not be tolerated and we’ll be ensuring officers are in the area to deal with any such incidents.

“Such action isn’t about bothering anyone going about their daily business. It is to ensure that the city centre remains a welcoming place for those who live, work and visit here, and to remove those who cause danger and distress with their thoughtless behaviour. Pass information to us and we will act.”

Always call 999 if a crime is in progress. You can pass any information on anti-social behaviour via our social media desk @MerPolCC 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.