Dispersal order issued following spate of anti-social behaviour in Widnes

Officers in Widnes have issued a dispersal order for the weekend following a spate of anti-social behaviour in the town.

Police will be using dispersal orders banning anyone from the town for up to 48 hours to prevent disorder.

The dispersal order has been imposed under Section 34 of the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, dispersal orders make it an offence for anyone to return to a specific area for up to 48 hours.

The area covered includes the areas around Asda and Widnes Shopping Park as indicated by the highlighted mapped area which is provided to anyone issued with a direction to leave.

The powers are in place now and will run until 9pm on Friday 4 February - with a further order issued for after 9pm on 4 February until 9pm on Sunday 6 February.

Inspector Rob McLoughlin said: “Due to ongoing anti-social behaviour here in Widnes by a small minority of young people, we have had to impose a dispersal order in the town over the weekend.

“This type of behaviour will not be tolerated and as a result, we have already arrested two teenagers.

“Our communities should not be disrupted by anti-social behaviour. Every resident has the right to feel safe in their neighbourhoods yet a small minority are disrupting this.

“I would urge anyone who witnesses or feels that they have been subjected to anti-social behaviour to report this to us by calling 101 or reporting it via our website so that we can investigate further.”

Anyone with information on ASB in their area can report it via the Cheshire Police website.