Merseyside Police has introduced a Dispersal Zone in West Kirby today, following reports of anti-social behaviour in the area.

The order runs from 3pm this afternoon until 3pm on Saturday 29 May.

Officers will be in the area to provide a visible presence and deal with any incidents.

The Dispersal Zone covers the area bounded by the map and includes Lingdale Road, Cubbins Green, Macdona Drive, West Kirby Concourse, Ashton Park, Victoria Park, Sandlea Park, Coronation Gardens, and parts of Thurstaston Beach.

The order comes under Section 34 of the Anti-Social Behaviour & Policing 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, including vehicles, used in the commission of anti-social behaviour.

Should a person who has previously been directed to leave the area return, an offence would be committed, which they may ultimately be arrested for.

Community Policing Inspector Paul Harrison said: "Coinciding with the warmer weather, we have seen a significant increase in footfall in Wirral coastal areas, particularly in West Kirby. This has prompted complaints from residents relating to a lack of social distancing, nitrous oxide drug use, litter and general antisocial behaviour and violence.

"We understand the impact that such acts have on the local community, and so we have introduced this dispersal zone to give us the powers we need to deal with this behaviour."

You can pass any information on anti-social behaviour via our social media desk @MerPolCC on Twitter or 'Merseyside Police Contact Centre' on Facebook with reference number 21000333301.

You can also contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.