A CRACKDOWN has been launched on hellraising yobs after almost 200 anti-social behaviour incidents were reported in the Farnworth area of Widnes.
Farnworth ward councillor Carl Cross urged police to step up patrols after yobs were spotted hurling bricks across Derby Road, and now Halton Borough Council and the police have created a Dispersal Zone in and around Factory Lane under the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003.
Now, groups of youths who cause alarm or distress to people living or working in the area will be split up by police under specific powers designed to tackle anti-social behaviour.
It is the first dispersal order to be implemented in Halton and will be in force 24 hours a day from Monday, July 10, for a period of four months.
Uniformed police officers will have the power to:
* Tell people in a group to leave the area.
* Tell people who don't live in the area to leave the locality.
* Tell people who don't live in the area not to return to the area, or any other part of the dispersal locality for 24 hours.
* Under-16s who cause problems in the dispersal zone will be escorted home.
Police say anyone who knowingly contravenes the order is committing a criminal offence and is liable to be arrested and upon conviction could receive a fine and even a three months in jail.
Nick Bailey, Widnes NPU inspector, said: 'This is not about making the Factory Lane area a no-go zone for youths. But what it does do is give us the power to break up those groups of youths who are out to cause problems for everyone else.
'We're using a variety of tactics to reduce anti-social behaviour in this part of Widnes, including sending letters to offenders' parents, confiscating alcohol and conducting high visibility patrols. The order is part of this on-going strategy and law-abiding youths have nothing to fear.
ian.cheveau@cheshirenews.co.uk
