Police in Merseyside have been granted extra powers after a masked gang with knives was seen chasing another group near Tower Hill Park in Kirkby. No reports of assault have been lodged, according to police.
Investigation underway
Police said it received a report at around 4.15pm on Friday (October 2), which included a description of males with their faces covered, and some in possession of knives. Officers attended the scene and an investigation is underway, with forensic and CCTV enquiries being carried out.
Efforts are ongoing to establish the full circumstances and locate those involved, police confirmed. As part of the police's initial response to this incident, a Section 60 Order was introduced at 5.30pm and will remain in place until 5.30pm Saturday, October 3.
Section 60 powers
It gives officers additional powers to search vehicles and people who are suspected of involvement in criminality and disorder. The location covered by the authorisation includes Kirkby Train Station, parts of Northwood, the Mill Dam Park area and the Simonswood Estate.
It also authorises all males of any ethnicity aged between 14 and 24 years in the vicinity to be searched if they are believed to be involved in criminality.
Police appeal
Inspector Louie Lyons said: “We are in the very early stages of investigating this incident and keen to speak to anyone who might have witnessed any part of it or captured CCTV or dashcam.
“We take any incident involving knives being carried as weapons on our streets extremely seriously, and I would like to reassure the public that our officers are undertaking extensive enquiries to bring those responsible to justice.
“This Section 60 Order is just one of the measures we are taking to disrupt those who are willing to carry such weapons in our community, and protect those involved from causing themselves, each other or the wider public any harm.
“We are relentless in our pursuit of any offenders who carry dangerous weapons in our community and urge anyone who has any information to come forward.”
Dispersal zone in Netherton
Police have also been given extra powers in Netherton, where a dispersal zone has been put in place after reports of "youths causing antisocial behaviour" in the area. The Dispersal Zone began at 10pm on Friday October 2 and will last until 10pm on Saturday evening October 3.
The dispersal zone covers Northern Perimeter Road, Chapel Lane, Netherton Green, St Oswalds Lane, Bridge Lane, Swifts Lane, Poulson Drive, Sefton Moss Lane, Sterrix Lane, Gorsey Lane, Pendle Drive and off shooting roads, Bowland Drive, Wooded area on Trawden Way and Buckley Hill Lane.
The order gives 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 and not return for up to 48 hours. Under the legislation, officers have the power to seize any item, including vehicles, used in the commission of anti-social behaviour. Should a person who has previously been directed to leave the area return, an offence would be committed, which they may ultimately be arrested for.
Anyone who wishes to report anti-social or criminal behaviour can contact @MerPolCC, 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. Always call 999 in an emergency.
