14 dispersal zones introduced across Merseyside ahead of Bonfire Night
Officers can order people to leave the areas for up to 72 hours
Police have introduced 14 dispersal zones across Merseyside ahead of Bonfire Night.
The pre-planned orders have been put in place under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.
They aim to stop the anti-social behaviour historically seen at this time of year.
Police said more dispersal zones could be introduced in other areas.
St Helens
Four zones in St Helens take effect from 4pm on Thursday 5th November.
In Rainhill, the boundary of the dispersal area is formed by Stoney Road, Cartmel Drive, Holt Lane, Two Butt Lane, Ellerslie Avenue, Elton Head Road, St James Road, Craven Road and Lowther Drive.
In St Helens town centre, the boundary is formed by Linkway West, King Street, The Landings, A571, Corporation Street, Birchley Street, Tolver Street, Hall Street, Bickerstaff Street, Shaw Street, Parr Street, Chalon Way East, Foundary Street and Chalon Way West.
In Haydock, the zone covers KGV Playing Fields, Park Road, Church Road and the public right of way leading to Piele Road.
In Parr, the zone includes The Duckeries, Ashtons Green Lane, Newton Road, Waring Avenue and Fleet Lane.
Crosby, Aintree, Litherland, Maghull and Netherton
Five zones take effect from 3pm on Thursday 5th November and stay in place until 1am on Saturday 7th November.
In Crosby, the zone covers the area bounded by Moor Lane, Forefield Lane, Moorside Park, Liverpool Road and Coronation Road.
In Aintree, the zone covers A59 Switch Island, Northern Perimeter Road, Copy Lane, Browns Lane, Edward Jenner Avenue, Heysham Road, the Mersey Rail Kirkby railway, Melling Road and the Leeds to Liverpool Canal up to the M57.
It includes Old Roan and Aintree railway stations.
In Hatton Hill and Litherland, the zone covers the area bounded by Boundary Road, Sterrix Lane, Gorsey Lane, the Leeds to Liverpool Canal, Rimrose Brook, Cambridge Road, A565 Crosby Road South, Peel Road, Norton Street, Knowsley Road, Linacre Lane and A5038 Netherton Way.
In Maghull, the zone covers Green Lane, Dodds Lane, Ormonde Drive, Broadwood Avenue, Hall Lane, Old Hall Road and Moss Lane.
In Netherton, the zone covers Northern Perimeter Road, Chapel Lane, Netherton Green, St Oswalds Lane, Bridge Lane, Swifts Lane, the canal from Swifts Lane to Gorsey Lane, and Gorsey Lane to the boundary of Rimrose Valley Park.
It also covers Fullwood Way, Trawden Way and Buckley Hill Lane.
Liverpool
Five zones in Liverpool take effect from 3pm on Thursday 5th November and stay in place until 2am on Friday 6th November.
In Speke, the zone follows Speke Boulevard, Western Avenue, Clough Road, Alderfield Drive, Hale Drive, Hale Road and Speke Hall Avenue, returning to Speke Boulevard.
In Belle Vale, the zone follows Naylorsfield Drive, Sarum Road, Childwall Valley Road, Barnham Drive, Gateacre Park Drive, Grange Lane, Belle Vale Road, Lee Vale Road and Kings Drive, returning to Naylorsfield Drive.
In Garston, the zone follows Blackburne Street, Banks Road, Speke Road, Church Road, Chapel Road, Earp Street, Seddon Road, Garston Way and King Street, returning to Blackburne Street.
In Dingle, the boundary is formed by Park Road, Northumberland Street, Sefton Street, Grafton Street, Garswood Street, Dingle Road, Kings Leadership Academy and Hindip Street.
In Toxteth, the boundaries are Upper Parliament Street, Croxteth Road, Hartington Road and Princes Road.
What the powers mean
Police said the orders give officers the power to direct anyone engaging in anti-social behaviour, or likely to become involved in it, to leave the area.
Those directed to leave cannot return for up to 72 hours.
Officers also have the power to seize items used for anti-social behaviour.
Anyone who has been directed to leave but returns to the area would be committing an offence and could be arrested.
What police have said
Chief Inspector Kevin Chatterton, who is the tactical operations lead for the Bonfire Night period, said: "We want everyone to enjoy Bonfire Night safely and these dispersal zones are just one measure we are introducing in areas of Merseyside today to help us protect communities.
"It's part of our extensive policing plan during this period, which also includes a high visibility presence, especially in areas where antisocial behaviour has caused distress in the past.
"Reports of anti-social behaviour and criminal damage have reduced compared to last year, which is of course encouraging and I hope offers some reassurance. However, we know that some of our communities have experienced anti-social incidents over the past week and we are fully aware of the impact this causes.
"If you experience any anti-social behaviour or criminal damage in the coming days, please let us know."
How to report anti-social behaviour
People can contact the Merseyside Police social media desk on X at @MerPolCC or on Facebook via 'Merseyside Police Contact Centre'.
Reports can also be made on the force website at https://www.merseyside.police.uk/ro/report/ocr/af/how-to-report-a-crime/ or by calling 101.
The independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111, or online at https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/forms/give-information-anonymously
In an emergency, always call 999.