Dispersal order after reports of youths with machetes

Police have been granted additional powers to tackle anti-social behaviour after reports of groups of youths on electric bikes carrying machetes and chasing people.

Merseyside Police received reports of incidents at about 18:30 BST on Tuesday in the Prescot area.

Insp Louie Lyons said: "Armed officers are currently searching the area and enquiries are ongoing to find all of those involved."

A dispersal order will be in place until 19:30 BST on Wednesday and includes the area bounded by Liverpool Road/Derby Street, High Street/Warrington Road, Stoney Lane, Halsnead Park (north of M62) and the Prescot/Whiston side of the M57.

Lyons said "the use of knives and any weapons is reckless and will not be tolerated on our streets" and appealed for anyone with information to contact them.

The additional powers, which came into force at 19:30 on Tuesday, have been brought in under Section 60 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, which grants officers the power to search vehicles and people who are suspected of involvement in criminality and disorder, and to seize any suspected weapons.

Police are also authorised to search any males aged between 14 and 20 in the vicinity of Whiston and Prescot if they are believed to be involved in crime, the force said.

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