Police are continuing their crackdown on anti-social behaviour by introducing a new temporary dispersal zone in Birkenhead this weekend.

The zone will be in operation for 48 hours from 5pm on Friday until 5pm, Sunday

It will cover the area boundaries between Park Road North, Norman Street, Tollemache Road, Stanley Road, Beaufort Road, Corporation Road, Cavendish Street, Park Road South, Park Road East, Eastbourne Road, Westbourne Road, Grafton Street, Slatey Road, St Andrews Road and Park Road West.

Neighbourhood Inspector for Birkenhead Georgina Minnery said: "We have had a number of reports from the community in Birkenhead that anti-social behaviour has increased and the introduction of this zone demonstrates that we are listening to and responding to their concerns.

"The zone is not about bothering people, young or old, who are going about their legitimate daily business.

"We will be targeting people who are intent on causing anti-social behaviour or criminal damage, especially if they are gathering in large groups.

"The zone gives officers the extra powers they need to deal effectively with people behaving anti-socially and I would urge anyone in Birkenhead who is suffering from anti-social behaviour to contact us so that we can take action."

Last year the town's MP Frank Field said parts of Birkenhead were so overrun by gangs it had become "The Beirut of the North."

Figures published by Birkenhead constituency committee in November revealed that more than 8,000 incidents of anti-social behaviour had been reported in just six months.

The zone is being brought in under Section 34 of the new Anti-Social Behaviour legislation and will give police and community support officers powers to direct people aged ten or over causing anti-social behaviour to leave the area. If those people return to the area within 48 hours they can be arrested.