Dispersal zone put in place in St Helens town centre

Officers in St Helens will be setting up dispersal zone in St Helens town centre following reports of anti-social behaviour in the town centre, particularly around McDonalds, in the last few days.

The Dispersal Zone has been authorised from 3pm today (Sunday, 6 January 2019) until 3pm on Monday, 7 January.

The area covered (see map) is bounded by A58, A58 Linkway East, Parr St, Shaw Street, Corporation Street, Hardshaw St, Parade Street, Brynn St, Tolver Street, Birchley Street then leading onto A571 and all roads within.

The order comes under 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 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. 
 
  Inspector Andy Gardiner,said: “This order is not about bothering people, young or old, who are going about their legitimate daily business and enjoying the weekend in a responsible way. However, we recognise the impact that anti-social behaviour can and does have on individuals and communities, and we will be targeting people involved in this type of behaviour today and into tonight.

“Working closely with our partners at St Helens Council, 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 about anti-social or criminal activity in their area to contact 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.