Police have hit back ahead of the weekend as anti-social behaviour grips one Merseyside town
Police have hit back ahead of the weekend as anti-social behaviour grips one Merseyside town
14:43, 13 Mar 2026Updated 14:45, 13 Mar 2026
One area of Merseyside has seen an increase in anti-social behaviour, resulting in a police crackdown. Police officers will be out in force across Kirkby town centre this weekend as they look to clampdown on recent reports of criminal damage, stealing from shops and youths intimidating members of the public.
Merseyside Police said a dispersal zone will come into force from 6pm today, March 13, and will remain in place until 5.59pm on Sunday, March 15, It comes after recent reports included large groups of youths causing criminal damage, stealing from shops, committing public order offences and intimidating members of the public and staff who work in the area.
The dispersal zone covers the areas within, including and bounded by Hall Lane/Cherryfield Drive, Hall Lane/County Road, County Road/Webster Drive and Webster Drive/Cherryfield Drive.
Police said the order comes under Section 35 of the Anti-Social Behaviour & Policing Act 2014. It 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.
If a person does return to the area, an offence would be committed and they may be arrested.
It is the fifth dispersal zone in six weeks, with people in the area speaking to the ECHO about apparent rise in anti-social behaviour. Shoppers who wanted to remain anonymous attributed a lack of youth centres for the criminal behaviour, while others blamed parents for not knowing what their children get up to.
Ann Skinner, who has worked in the McDonald’s restaurant in the town centre for 10 years, said that during that time they often experienced vandalism in several different forms.
She explained that groups of young boys, usually aged between 10 to 15, have been known to destroy the bathroom mirrors and urinals, smash the doors and would not leave until they heard sirens.
Commenting on the dispersal zone, she said: “I think it’s a good thing because it does keep the vandalism down, but they should do more. A lot of parents don’t take control of their children. In some cases, I don’t think the parents even know what they’re doing.”
Kirkby Community Policing Inspector Andrew Robinson said: “We have received reports in recent weeks of youths causing anti-social behaviour and causing a nuisance to people who live and work in Kirkby town centre.
“Incidents include criminal damage, causing a disturbance in shops, swearing and being abusive to members of the public and staff.
“We have proactively put this dispersal in place to prevent youths gathering and causing unnecessary distress and intimidation to people who want to go about their business without fear or harm.
“We have increased patrols in the area, and this latest action of a dispersal zone is to deal with any issues and prevent offences from taking place.
“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 your child is and what they are up to. Do you want them to be causing such misery to people who are serving your community?
“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.”
Anyone with information on anti-social behaviour in their area is asked to contact Merseyside Police social media desk via X @MerPolCC or on Facebook ‘Merseyside Police Contact Centre’.
You can also report information via the force’s website: Report a crime | Merseyside Police or call 101.
Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, or via their website here: Giving information | Crimestoppers. In an emergency always call 999.
