POLICE in Wirral are cracking down on anti-social behaviour by introducing temporary powers to stop youths congregating in large numbers.

The dispersal zones will be in place in the Bidston Rise area and the precinct area in Liscard, which will include Liscard Way and Liscard Crescent.

They will come into effect from 6pm on Friday, February 13 until 5 pm on Sunday, February 15.

Dispersal orders allow police officers and police community support officers powers to direct an individual to leave the area for up to 48 hours. Any breaches of this direction may result in arrest.

Chief Inspector Nick Gunatilleke said: “This activity is part of a week-long crackdown on anti-social behaviour, which coincides with half term week and is a direct response to concerns raised from the local community.

“We also have a history of anti-social behaviour in these locations at this time of year, where young people tend to gather in large numbers with some causing intimidation to the public and committing offences of criminal damage.

“I want to reassure the public that these orders will give police the extra powers they need to keep the area safe and free from any groups of youths thinking about acting in an anti-social manner.”

The dispersal zones come days after Wirral Council pledged to do more to tackle the issue of anti-social behaviour across the borough by investing £365,000 into tackling the issue.

The funding was announced during a meeting of the authority’s ruling cabinet on Tuesday night, when Labour councillors set the budget for the next year.

Anti-social behaviour has become a major issue in parts of Wirral in recent months, no more so in Birkenhead, described as the “Beirut of the north” by the town’s MP Frank Field.

Mr Field - who has been working closely with council leader Cllr Phil Davies – declared war on the yob culture back in October, claiming it was destroying the town.

It is hoped the new package of measures – due to be approved by full council on February 24 – will be a major step forward in reducing the problem.

The £365,000 will be invested in a comprehensive range of programmes and schemes with the police to help tackle problems of anti-social behaviour.

£100,000 will be spent on additional CCTV, mobile recording and monitoring, while additional ASBO enforcement and environmental health officers will be recruited.

Cllr Davies said £100,000 will also be spent on strengthening enforcement and education on unruly dogs and fouling. £15,000 will also be given to each of the borough’s constituency committees to help them come up with their own ideas.

Cllr Davies told the Globe: “This is the most comprehensive package I have seen since I have been on the council for tackling anti-social behaviour.

“It’s directly in response to the complaints we get to the council from residents about this problem in different areas of the borough.”

The budget was approved unanimously by cabinet on Tuesday and is expected to be rubber-stamped at a meeting of the full council on February 24.

Cllr Davies added: “As soon as it has been ratified by full council we can get on with starting to implement these measures.

“We need to work closely with the police but I really do think this package of measures will make a major impact on this problem which is one of the main issues that we do get from residents now in many parts of the borough.

“This is in direct response to those people who have said ‘Please do something’.”