Full Breakdown
Merseyside Police Deploy Halloween Dispersal Zones Across Liverpool, St Helens and Sefton
By Drooid · · How we work
In this breakdown
01
Core Action: Temporary Dispersal Zones Enforced for Halloween Weekend
Merseyside Police have activated a series of temporary dispersal zones under Sections 34 and 35 of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014. The zones take effect at 4 pm on Friday, October 30 and remain in force until 4 pm on Sunday, November 1 (in Liverpool the order runs until 1 am on November 1). The powers allow officers, police community support officers and designated staff to direct individuals suspected of causing, or likely to cause, crime, nuisance or anti-social behaviour to leave the designated area and not return for up to 48 hours; failure to comply can lead to arrest.
02
Background & Context
Recent weeks have seen a surge in anti-social incidents in south Liverpool, including fireworks, small fires and intimidation of residents in the Garston district. The area has also experienced repeated vandalism on “Mischief Night” (the evening before Halloween). Merseyside Police are using newly-granted powers to create the county’s first 72-hour dispersal zone in Garston and a wider network of 48-hour zones across the region.
03
Data & Statistics
- Total zones: 16 temporary zones across Merseyside.
- St Helens zones: Rainhill; St Helens town centre; Haydock; The Duckeries in Parr.
- Liverpool zones: Speke, Belle Vale, Garston, Dingle, Toxteth, Everton, Norris Green, Croxteth, Fazakerley, West Derby, Knotty Ash, Stoneycroft.
- Sefton zones: Crosby, Aintree, Hatton Hill/Litherland, Maghull, Netherton.
04
Community Initiative: Free Youth Activities in Garston
To complement the policing strategy, the Liverpool City Council and Community Renewal Funding are sponsoring free boxing, dance and drama sessions for local children. Strictly Boxing Gym will hold boxing classes on Mercer Street on October 30 and October 31, while Topaz on Heald Street will run dance and drama classes every Friday evening for the next year. Organisers describe the programme as “being part of the solution” rather than merely “talking about the problem.”
05
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
BBC reporting describes Garston’s order as a 72-hour dispersal zone, whereas St Helens Star, Wirral Globe and Liverpool Echo refer to the standard 48-hour powers under Sections 34/35. The exact end time also varies: some sources cite 4 pm on November 1, while others note 1 am on November 1 for Liverpool zones. No data have been released on the effectiveness of the zones during the Halloween period.
06
Verbatim Quotes
- “We want people to enjoy the Halloween weekend, but we want them to do so without fear of their fun being spoiled by a minority intent on engaging in anti-social behaviour.” — Chief Inspector Kevin Chatterton
- “These dispersal zones are just one measure we are introducing to keep our communities safe.” — Chief Inspector Chatterton