A 16-year-old boy has been arrested after police found a knife hidden inside his jacket. Merseyside Police were called to the city centre on Wednesday (August 19) night after a boy was chased into McDonald's on Lord Street by a group of teens.
Police searched the boy and found a knife in his jacket. He was arrested on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon.
Dispersal Zone Implemented
A dispersal zone has now been implemented in Liverpool city centre, giving the force extra powers. The order was put in place from 10.30pm last night, Wednesday, August 19, until 10.30pm tonight, Thursday, August 20.
The force has shared a map outlining where the dispersal zone is implemented. The dispersal zone is in place from Princess Parade, William Jessop Way Waterloo Road, Paisley Street, Great Howard Street, Leeds Street, Byrom Street, Hunter Street, Islington, Brunswick Road, Low Hill, Hall Lane, Towerlands Street, Irvine Street, Mount Vernon Road, Grove Street, Oxford Street East, Smithdown Lane, Crown Street, Upper Parliament Street, Parliament Street, Queens Dock, Waterloo Road and the Waterfront area.
It also covers Liverpool Lime Street Railway Station, Edge Hill Railway Station, Liverpool Central Railway Station, James Street Railway Station, and Moorfields Railway Station.
Legal Powers and Police Statement
The order has been authorised under Section 34 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 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.
Chief Inspector Christopher Ruane said: "There have been several reports of antisocial behaviour in our city centre this week. Last night a 16-year-old boy from Liverpool was arrested on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon after he was chased into McDonalds on Lord Street by a group of youths. Officers later searched the boy and found a knife in his jacket.
“Knives have no place in our communities and can have tragic consequences, not only for the victims of knife crime but also for the offenders involved. Due to such incidents we have issued a dispersal order to prevent any further offences in the area. This is just one tool we use to help combat anti-social behaviour in the area.
"More officers will be in and around Liverpool City Centre and if they suspect or witness anyone causing anti-social behaviour they will be dealt with through the powers of this order.
“Our officers urge parents/guardians to know where their children and young people are and who they're with, to ensure they don't become involved in situations which could cause disruption or distress over the summer period."
How to Report Information
Anyone with information about antisocial behaviour or the use of weapons in their area should contact the Merseyside Police social media desk @MerPolCC on X and Facebook.
You can also report information via the police website: https://www.merseyside.police.uk/ro/report/ocr/af/how-to-report-a-crime/ or call 101.
Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, or via their website here: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/forms/give-information-anonymously.
