A 48 hour crackdown is underway in Southport as police officers are given extra powers after two men were stabbed.
The dispersal zone will run from 4pm today (Friday) until 3.59pm on Sunday, August 29.
It covers the region surrounding Southport waterfront and town centre.
READ MORE: Dad in 'theatre for hours' after being 'stabbed three times'
Two men were taken to hospital after being stabbed on Scarisbrick Avenue at around 1.40am on Monday, August 23.
Three teenage boys were arrested following the incident, aged 14, 15 and 16-years-old.
Officers say there have been further reports of fighting, verbal abuse and drugs in the area.
Parents have this week been urged to check where their children are going, and who with - after groups of up to 40 young people have been said to have been gathering in the centre of Southport, as well as seafront areas.
The Dispersal Zone is bounded by and includes the following areas: Marine Drive, Esplanade, Promenade, Coronation Walk, Portland Street, Talbot Street, Eastbank Street, Virginia Street, Southport Railway Station, Hall Street, Hawkshead Street, Queens Road, Park Road, Park Road West, Promenade and Fairway.
The order comes 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 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.
Community Inspector Graham Fisher said: “The incidents we have seen in Southport in the last two weeks simply will not be tolerated, and the introduction of this Dispersal Zone will give our officers extra powers to prevent further incidents form happening.
“We know the impact that anti-social behaviour can have on how safe people feel in their own community, and we will be targeting people we suspect of being involved in this type of behaviour in the area."
Anyone with any information regarding anti-social behaviour is urged to call police on 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Always call 999 if a crime is in progress.
Alternatively, information can be given via @MerPolCC on Twitter or 'Merseyside Police Contact Centre' on Facebook.
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