A DISPERSAL zone will be put in place in Hoylake this weekend as police crackdown on anti-social behaviour in the town.

The order, effective from 4pm today until 4pm on Sunday, is in response to recent reports of anti-social behaviour and youths gathering in the area.

It comes under Section 34/35 of the Anti-Social Behaviour & Policing Act 2014 which 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 for up to 48 hours".

Community Policing Inspector Paul Harrison said: "Recently, we have been called to reports of youths gathering, cycling dangerously at traffic, running across the road and causing damage to vehicles, property and to play equipment in Queens Park.

"This behaviour causes distress and upset to those affected, and will simply not be tolerated.

"We’re working closely with local councillors, businesses and residents on a daily basis to deal with these issues. However, I must also appeal directly to parents and guardians to keep taking responsibility for knowing the whereabouts of young people in their care.

"Do you know where they are and what they are doing?

"It's absolutely vital, especially with restrictions in place and rising Covid-19 case numbers, that large groups do not gather for any reason, and especially when it has an adverse impact on the lives of those locally.

"We all have a duty to protect each other, both from the pandemic, and from the harm caused by anti-social behaviour.

"This Dispersal Zone is not about bothering people going about their legitimate daily business, but an appropriate response to incidents and concerns raised in the community.

"It gives us the powers we need to deal effectively with people involved, and I would urge anyone in the area with any information about anti-social behaviour, nuisance or criminal activity in the area to make contact.”

Anyone who wishes to report anti-social or criminal behaviour can contact 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. call 999 in an emergency.

You can also follow @WirralPolice on Twitter and Facebook for updates and advice.