Dispersal zone in Leasowe this weekend

We will be introducing a Dispersal Zone in Leasowe on Friday 28 October, following recent reports of antisocial behaviour in the area. 

The order runs from 3pm on Friday 28 October until 3pm on Sunday 30 October, 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 Leasowe Road, A554 , M53, The Birket, Wirral Circular Trail and Reeds Lane.

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 Alan McKeon said: “Recently our officers have received reports of young people behaving in an anti-social manner on the Leasowe Estate.

“In the past recent weeks incidents of criminal damage, public order, and violence have been reported to officers and missiles have been thrown at police vehicles in the area.

“We must be clear that we will not tolerate such reckless, dangerous behaviour which puts our community and businesses 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 when travelling and shopping in Leasowe.”

“If you are out and about this weekend in Leasowe or work in the area 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 @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: Giving information | Crimestoppers.