Dispersal Zone extended following disorder in Knowsley

A Dispersal Zone in Knowsley will be further extended today following the violent disorder last week.

This latest order will run from 1pm today (Friday 17 February) and continue for 48 hours until 12.59pm on Sunday 19 February.

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, who are engaging in antisocial behaviour or criminality or are likely to do so, out of the area. These powers will not be used for anyone going about their daily business.

The area covered is shown on the map, and includes: All areas within, including and bounded Moorgate Road North, Green land joining Alchemy Way, crossing A580 East Lancashire Road, crossing green land & joining Ainsworth Lane, Penrhyn Road, School Lane, joining & including Randles Farm Interchange (M57 roundabout) crossing green land to re-join A580 East Lancashire road Eastbound to the junction of Moorgate Road North.

Superintendent Karl Baldwin from Knowsley Local Policing, said: “This is the fourth Dispersal Zone we have issued since the violent scenes on Friday 10 February. This shows how serious and determined we are to prevent any repeat of what happened last week.

“Since the disorder, Merseyside Police has set up a dedicated investigation team to identify and bring to justice all those involved.

“I want to stress that this order is not designed to stop residents of Knowsley from going about their lawful business, but it gives us the powers we need to deal effectively with criminal behaviour and keep the community safe.

“Additional patrols will be in the area to enforce the Dispersal Zone and to reassure the community, so if you have any concerns or wish to provide information please speak to our officers out on patrol or contact us so we can take action. Those not heeding the instruction to disperse within a Dispersal Zone may be arrested.”

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

If you have any information, footage or images of the disorder, contact us now with reference 23000121093.

If, for any reason, you do not wish to report a hate crime to the police, the independent charity Stop Hate UK to run a 24/7 confidential helpline for all victims of hate crime on 0800 138 1625 or www.stophateuk.org. You can also download the Stop Hate UK reporting app on Google Play or the Apple App Store.