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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
National
Abigail Nicholson

Gangs of kids steal delivery bikes and intimidate diners

Gangs of kids were stealing delivery bikes and intimidating diners at Stonedale Retail Park.

Police were called to the area multiple times in recent days as gangs of kids caused trouble.

It was reported the yobs were gathering and intimidating staff and diners, stealing driver delivery bikes and causing damage to bus stops and shop windows.

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Community Policing Inspector Andrew Lloyd said: "This behaviour will not be tolerated and extra officers will remain in the area to disperse any groups causing such incidents, and to provide reassurance to the vast majority of law-abiding people in the area.

"Action will be taken to stop reckless acts of anti-social behaviour to make sure that everyone can feel safe."

Merseyside Police has now introduced a dispersal zone in the Stonedale Retail Park area covering Starbucks, McDonalds, KFC, Nando’s and the Showcase Cinema.

The order runs from Wednesday, February 23 at 7pm and will last for 12 hours until 7am on Thursday, February 24. Officers will be in the area to provide a visible presence and deal with any incidents.

The order comes under Section 34 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.

Inspector Lloyd continued: "We have introduced this dispersal zone as an extra precaution in response to a recent increase in reports of anti-social behaviour and criminality in the area, which is having a significant impact on the people who work and visit there.

“Recent incidents include thefts and attempted thefts of delivery driver bikes and mopeds, youths gathering and intimidating staff and customers, and criminal damage to bus stops and windows of restaurants.

"If you witness any anti-social behaviour or have any information about such incidents, please contact or speak to our officers and we will take action."

Always call 999 if a crime is in progress. You can pass any information on anti-social behaviour via our social media desk @MerPolCC on Twitter or 'Merseyside Police Contact Centre' on Facebook. You can also contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via their online form at: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/give-information.

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