Police in Merseyside are set to receive enhanced powers to tackle anti-social behaviour following the passage of the Crime and Policing Act 2026. The legislation, passed by Parliament in late April, introduces several measures aimed at providing communities with greater protection, particularly during periods of warm weather when incidents often spike.
Recent Anti-Social Behaviour in Merseyside
Several areas in Merseyside experienced significant anti-social behaviour during recent warm spells. In late May, the Sefton coast town of Waterloo was described as being "under siege" by teenagers, with scenes of "absolute bedlam" reported. Similarly, West Kirby saw large groups of young people compared to the mods and rockers of the 1960s during the late-May bank holiday weekend. In response, police introduced dispersal zones in both areas.
Dispersal orders, a key tool since 2014, allow officers to direct individuals likely to cause crime, nuisance, or anti-social behaviour to leave a designated area for up to 48 hours. Currently, those who refuse or re-enter can be arrested and face up to three months in prison.
Key Provisions of the Crime and Policing Act 2026
The new act, not yet in force, will increase the maximum duration of dispersal orders from 48 to 72 hours. The government states this extension will provide "crucial respite" over longer periods such as weekends and bank holidays. Additionally, the act introduces "respect orders," which allow courts to ban repeat anti-social or retail crime offenders from town centres and other locations. Breach of a respect order will be a criminal offence, enabling arrest without prior warning. Respect orders can also include positive requirements to address the root causes of behaviour, and will be piloted before national rollout.
The act also removes the requirement for police to issue a prior warning before seizing vehicles used in an anti-social manner.
Local Perspectives on Anti-Social Behaviour
When the ECHO visited affected areas, residents highlighted issues with bikes. A West Kirby shopkeeper said: "The worst is the lads on bikes, pulling wheelies down the road and not getting out of the way of cars. When you see them, you get that feeling of dread. You see a dozen coming and you worry about what's going to happen."
In Waterloo, locals were positive about the impact of dispersal orders. Jake Foulder, 35, landlord of the Marine pub, said: "It's like Magaluf when the sun is out. When police announced the dispersal zone, it worked, and we'd like that in place every time."
Neighbourhood Chief Inspector Dave Uren stated: "We will have a highly visible police presence in the area to robustly deal with any issues and provide reassurance to residents. Most young people behave responsibly, but sadly a minority of youths are being disruptive."
Deputy Chief Constable Catherine Akehurst, National Police Chiefs' Council lead for the Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee, said: "Police record over one million incidents of ASB each year. The Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee places a strong emphasis on equipping neighbourhood policing teams with enhanced powers to tackle persistent ASB. We are working closely with the Home Office to support the implementation of these new measures."
