Dispersal zone introduced in Southport this weekend

We have introduced a Dispersal Zone in Southport today (Friday 3 September) in response to continued reports of anti-social behaviour in the area. 

The order runs from 7pm today until 6.59pm on Sunday 5 September, 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 by Marine Drive, Esplanade, Promenade, Coronation Walk, Portland Street, Talbot Street, Eastbank Street, Virginia Street, Southport Railway Station, Hall Street, Hawkshead Street, Queens Road, Park Road, Park Road West, Promenade and Fairway.

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 Inspector Graham Fisher said: “Our town centre and seafront should be safe spaces for everyone to visit, not a places for the appalling anti-social behaviour we have been seeing in recent weeks.

"That’s why we have implemented a further dispersal zone this weekend to prevent such incidents from happening and to keep our communities safe. 

“Officers will be visible in the Southport area to disperse any groups causing issues, and to provide reassurance to the vast majority of law-abiding people in the community. 

“Such action isn’t about bothering anyone going about their daily business, or preventing young people from meeting with friends.  It’s simply about taking action to stop reckless acts of anti-social behaviour committed by a minority of people to make sure that everyone can feel safe where they live. 

“Rest assured, you can pass any information about anti-social behaviour in your community to us and we will 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 @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.

You can also follow @MerpolNthSefton on Twitter and Facebook for updates and advice.