Order granting police additional powers comes into force in Liverpool city centre
Merseyside Police say extra officers will be in the area
Police have been granted additional powers to search people suspected of criminality and disorder in Liverpool city centre.
A Section 60 Order came into force at 10am and will run until 4pm.
Merseyside Police say extra officers will be in the area to provide a visible presence to prevent crime or serious violence.
The Section 60 Order covers an area which includes William Brown Street, London Road, Rodney Street, Upper Duke Street, Queens Wharf, Kings Parade and Mann Island.
The Order, under S60 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, gives officers enhanced stop and search powers to stop individuals in the area aged between 15 and 60 years of age, stop and search vehicles and seize any dangerous items or items used to conceal a person's identity.
Superintendent Karl Baldwin said: "This order is not intended to disrupt anyone going about their lawful business but is intended to deter crime or serious violence.
“The aim, as ever, is to keep the public safe. I hope that the presence of our officers in the city centre is reassuring, and I would ask anyone with concerns to speak to those officers."
Anyone with information about criminality and disorder is asked to DM @MerPolCC, message ‘Merseyside Police Contact Centre on Facebook’.