Officers in Wirral are cracking down on anti-social behaviour in the Central Park area, by introducing a new temporary dispersal zone.
The zone will be in operation from 6pm tomorrow, Friday 30 September, until 6pm Sunday, 2 October 2016.
The area covered by the dispersal zone includes Liscard Road, Liscard Way, Sunbury Road, Rivington Road, Barrington Road, Kingsley Road, Poulton Road, Oxton Road, Love Lane, Devonshire Road and Wallasey Road including the area of Central Park.
The zone has been brought in under Section 34 of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and 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 leave the area for up to 48 hours. If a person has been directed to leave the area and returns during the period of the dispersal notice, an offence will have been committed.
Any breaches of this can lead to their arrest.
Neighbourhood Inspector Marc Roberts said: “There has been an increase in anti-social behaviour and criminal damage in this area this dispersal zone shows this behaviour will not be tolerated.
“We are working with our partners to reduce these instances and this dispersal zone is part of that work. We will continue to target that small minority that are involved in criminal and anti-social behaviour in our community. We have increased our patrols in the area to deal with this.
“We have listened to the concerns of our community and we realise the impact that this behaviour can have on them. This is not intended to affect those people going about their legitimate business but targeting those that are involved in this behaviour.
“The dispersal zone gives us the powers we need to deal effectively with people and I would urge anyone in the area who has any information to contact 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”
Following the implementation of a dispersal zone in the Central park area, Wirral, Merseyside Police is continuing to work working with our partners to support those wanting to use the open spaces in our community.
This weekend youth workers will be working around the area of the dispersal zone and providing advice to young people on the negative impacts of anti-social behaviour.
There is also Wallasey youth hub at Wallasey Fire station. This is open to all young people aged 13-19 years. This gives access to a computer suite, pool tables and a refreshment bar. It is open from 7pm until 10pm.
Neighbourhood Inspector Marc Roberts said: “These activities are there to support our young people that behave responsibly.
“We have increased our police presence in the area and I want to reassure our community that we are targeting the small minority that are responsible for the anti-social behaviour and not those that want to act responsibly”