A teenager was assaulted and taken to hospital with a head wound hours after police introduced a dispersal zone in West Kirby.

During a patrol on Thursday night, a group of youngsters was discovered in the Cubbins Green area of the town. According to police, some were intoxicated and needed to be collected by their parents, while one was taken to hospital. A large number of nitrous oxide capsules were seized in the area.

The order, which came into force Thursday and in place until midday on Saturday, was served in a police crackdown on anti-social and criminal behaviour in the area.

Served under Section 34/35 of the Anti-Social Behaviour & Policing Act 2014 it gives police and 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".

Police will be in the area to provide a visible presence and deal with any incidents.

On Thursday night, just hours after the dispersal zone was introduced, police issued an update on their activity in the Cubbins Green area of the town.

During a patrol, a group of youngsters was discovered in the area, some were intoxicated and needed to be collected by their parents, while one was taken to hospital.

The Wirral Police Facebook post read: "On the whole, a well behaved group. A few intoxicated teenagers needed to be collected early by parents and one was taken to hospital.

"One young lad assaulted and taken to hospital with head wound. We did seize a large number of nitrous oxide capsules.

"We hope they enjoyed their celebrations but maybe they could come back in the morning and clear up their mess."

The dispersal zone covers the area bounded by the map and includes includes:

Croft Drive

Croft Drive East

Caldy Road

Village Road

Hilbre View

Grange Road

Orrysdale Road

Bridge Road

Meols Drive

Pinfold Lane

West Kirby Beach

Caldy Beach

Under the legislation, police have the power to seize any item used in the commission of anti-social behaviour.

If someone has previously been told to leave the area by an officer but then returns, an offence would be committed, which they may ultimately be arrested for.

Community policing inspector Alan McKeon said: "Our beaches and green spaces on Wirral should be a safe space for everyone to enjoy and make the most of the lovely weather we’re having.

"Unfortunately, in recent weeks we've seen an increase in anti-social behaviour in the West Kirby area.

"Such behaviour will not be tolerated and this dispersal zone allows extra officers to remain in the area to disperse any groups causing such incidents, and to provide reassurance to the vast majority of law-abiding people in the area. Action will be taken to stop reckless acts of anti-social behaviour to make sure that everyone can feel safe.

"I want to stress that this dispersal zone certainly isn't designed to prevent young people, or anyone else, from meeting up to enjoy the beaches in Wirral after they've finished their exams.

"It is simply about making sure the minority who come intent on behaving anti-socially can be moved out of the area, to enable people of all ages to feel safer and enjoy everything our beautiful coastline has to offer.

"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."

Always call 999 if a crime is in progress. You can pass any information on anti-social behaviour to police via social media @MerPolCC on Twitter or 'Merseyside Police Contact Centre' on Facebook.

You can also contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via their online form at: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/give-information.