A mass brawl between school pupils reportedly involving a machete led to police being issued with special arrest powers.
Merseyside Police confirmed to the ECHO that a dispersal zone was put around King's Leadership Academy and the surrounding Dingle area following reports of affray and common assault. The order saw an increased police presence around the school from Friday, March 3 until the following day with officers given additional powers to disperse people over the age of 10 away from the area.
A local source alerted the ECHO to several incidents involving King's students including a "14-person fight" in nearby Princes Park where members of the public reported seeing a "machete". A Merseyside Police spokesperson confirmed today that officers received reports of violence and disorder in the park and a weapon was brandished.
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A search of the area was carried out to identify the suspect and no weapon was recovered. It was further reported a King's pupil was assaulted by another male on the 204 bus on Dingle Lane, causing bruising to the face. The suspect made off from the scene.
The ECHO understands the dispersal zone was not introduced to solely target students at King's Leadership students, but to manage any people travelling into the Dingle area to engage in anti-social behaviour. A dispersal zone means police have additional powers to arrest people if they have already been asked to leave the area.
Officers provided high visibility patrols outside the school and in the surrounding area to monitor issues of disorder and prevent further offences taking place. Community Policing Sergeant Tom Patterson said: "Such violence and disorder will not be tolerated.
"As a result we have increased high visibility patrols and put the dispersal order in place to deal with any issues and prevent offences from taking place. We are investigating the reports and are working with the school to identify suspects responsible for these offences.
"We are also working with the school to put further measures in place to prevent such behaviour and disorder from pupils. I would urge parents and guardians to know where their child is after school finishes and what they are up to, as such violence will not be tolerated and we will take action."
Mark O'Hagan, principal at King's Leadership Academy, told the ECHO: "It is difficult for the school to comment on any specific anti-social behaviour or incidents which led to the issuing of a dispersal order over the weekend.
"At King's Liverpool, we have a zero-tolerance policy towards any students involved in anti-social behaviour. We constantly remind them the potential impact of their behaviour, inside and outside the school, can have on themselves and other people."
You can pass any information on anti-social behaviour, violence and disorder by calling 101, via Merseyside Police's 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.
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