Dispersal zone in place on Liverpool's waterfront

Merseyside Police have introduced a dispersal zone on the Liverpool Waterfront today (Tuesday 20 July) following recent incidents of anti-social behaviour.

At about 5pm yesterday evening (Monday, 19 July) officers were called to Dukes Dock, Gower Street, to reports of anti-social behaviour from a large group of males and females (believed mainly to be teenagers).

Further reports were received that the group had moved towards the M&S Arena and a fight had broken out - some reports stated that some of those involved had knives.

When patrols attended the group dispersed, but through CCTV and links with security in the city centre officers arrested a 16-year-old male from Walton on suspicion of a knife. Eagle-eyed members of the public also saw two males discard a knife as they ran away and they handed it into officers at Merseyside Police Headquarters.

At around 9pm yesterday officers were called to reports of a stabbing near the big wheel at the Albert Dock. It is believed that a 15-year-old male was assaulted by a group of approximately five youths who have then run off. The victim believes that one of the males was armed with a knife.

The victim was taken to hospital for non-serious injuries.

In a previous incident at around 5.15pm on Sunday, 18 July, we received a report that a group of youths were jumping into the water in Dukes Dock.

It was reported that a group of youths were jumping on the inflatables at Wild Shore and were behaving aggressively towards security staff when challenged.

Patrols attended but the youths had already left the water and dispersed.

Over the weekend reports were also received of youths jumping into the water and behaving in an anti-social manner at Mann Island.

Enquiries into all incidents are ongoing and the dispersal zone has been put in place to help prevent similar incidents from occurring.

The order runs from 1pm today (Tuesday 20 July) to Thursday 22 July at 1am 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: The River Mersey, St Nicholas Place, Georges Dock Gates, The Strand, James Street, Lord Street, Paradise Street, Wapping, Queens Wharf, Keel Wharf, Monarchs Quay, Halftide Wharf

The order, which comes under Section 34 of the Anti-Social Behaviour & Policing Act 2014, 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.

Liverpool Community Policing inspector Charlotte Irlam said: “Our beautiful waterfront should be a space for everyone across Merseyside to enjoy the lovely weather we’ve been having, not a place for the reckless anti-social behaviour we have unfortunately seen recently.

“That’s why we have introduced a further dispersal zone today to prevent similar incidents from recurring and so that families and residents can enjoy our waterfront without their day out being marred by anti-social behaviour.

“We understand the impact of anti-social behaviour on the community and the vast majority of law-abiding visitors to the area, so I want to warn anyone planning on gathering in large numbers or causing any trouble that we will send you away.

“The dispersal zone gives us the powers we need to deal effectively with people and I would urge anyone in the area with any information about anti-social behaviour or other concerns on the waterfront or city centre to contact us. Furthermore, If you are the parents or guardians of young people, please ensure you know where they are and discourage them from being involved in such behaviour.”

Anyone with information on anti-social behaviour is asked to contact us via DM @MerPolCC, message ‘Merseyside Police Contact Centre on Facebook’ or phone @CrimestoppersUK on 0800 555 111. Always call 999 if a crime is in progress.