POLICE will have increased powers in an area of Wirral this weekend.

A dispersal zone will be in place in Liscard this weekend after an increase in anti-social behaviour in the area.

The order began at 2pm today, Friday, February 9, and will last for 48 hours until 2pm on Sunday February 11.

The dispersal zone covers Wallasey Road, Liscard Road,, Parkside, Hampstead Road, Poulton Road, Oxton Road, Love Lane, Greenheys Road, Leominster Road, Mill Lane and St Albans. The order also encompasses Liscard Way and Central Park.

Officers will be in the area to provide a visible presence and deal with any incidents.

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 are likely to become involved in such incidents.

These powers will not be used for anyone visiting the area and going about their daily business.

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.

Wirral Community Policing Inspector Sharon Robinson: “We have proactively put this dispersal zone  in place in response to reports involving anti-social behaviour in the area, which is having a significant impact on businesses and people visiting Liscard town centre and Central Park.

“We have increased patrols in the area to deal with any issues, and this dispersal zone gives officers in the area extra powers to approach people they suspect may be there to commit anti-social behaviour or other crimes.

“This order is to ensure residents and businesses are not subjected to any such behaviour, and I would ask people to continue reporting any concerns and we will take action. 

“I would urge parents and guardians to know where young people in your care are, to further assist us in dealing with those who cause trouble.

“If you witness any anti-social behaviour or have any information about such incidents, please contact or speak to our officers and we will take action.”

Always call 999 if a crime is in progress. You can pass any information on anti-social behaviour via Merseyside Police’s social media desk @MerPolCC on Twitter or 'Merseyside Police Contact Centre' on Facebook.