Gangs of kids have been caught climbing onto the roof of a McDonald's and threatening delivery drivers.
A spike of antisocial behaviour has seen police in St Helens be given more powers to tackle the incidents that are happening.
The town centre was the scene of an assault on police, bus station fighting and yobs causing trouble in the town's McDonald's, allegedly threatening delivery drivers.
As a response, Merseyside Police have ramped up patrols in the town centre and introduced a dispersal zone meaning they can order people to leave the area and not return for 48 hours.
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If people refuse to follow these orders, they can be arrested.
A police spokesperson said: "We have introduced a dispersal zone in St Helens Town Centre today (Friday 19 November) in response to continued reports of anti-social behaviour in the area.
"The order runs from today at 4.30pm and lasts for 48 hours. Officers will be in the area to provide a visible presence and deal with any incidents.
"The dispersal zone covers the area of Cansfield Street, Hall Street, Shaw Street, Chalon Way East, The Range Carpark, A58 Linkway West, A571 King Street and Collage Street.
"The order comes under Section 35 of the Anti-Social Behaviour 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.
"If someone has previously been told to leave the area by an officer but then returns, an offence would be committed, which they may ultimately be arrested for."
Community Inspector Emma Haffenden said: “We have introduced this dispersal zone as an extra precaution in response to a recent increase in crime and anti-social behaviour in the area by people gathering in St Helens Town Centre.
“Recent incidents include assaults of police officers at Chalon Way and Claughton Street, possession of drugs and fighting at the St Helens Bus Depot and youths climbing on the roof of McDonald's and threatening a delivery driver.
“This behaviour will not be tolerated and extra officers will remain in St Helens Town Centre to disperse any groups causing such incidents, and to provide reassurance to the vast majority of law-abiding people in the town.
“Such action isn’t about stopping anyone shopping or meeting up with friends in the town centre. It’s simply about taking action to stop reckless acts of anti-social behaviour to make sure that everyone can feel safe where they live.
“Rest assured, you can pass any information about anti-social behaviour in your community to us and we will take action.”
“If you witness any anti-social behaviour over the next 48 hours or have any information about such incidents, please contact or speak to our officers.
