POLICE have shared details of cases of anti-social behaviour in St Helens town centre which led to a dispersal zone being put in place last weekend.

Officers had issued a warned to parents last week they could face a £200 'Covid fine' after reports of groups of youths being involved in anti-social behaviour in St Helens town centre.

Officers said there has been an increase in "large groups of youths" causing anti-social behaviour in the town centre during the afternoons.

Police put a dispersal zone in place in the town centre from Friday to Sunday in response to the incidents which happened on Wednesday and Thursday.

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Police had a number of reports on Wednesday and Thursday evening that youths were causing problems and threatening members of the public.

It was reported on Wednesday, December 9 at around 4.30pm on Church Square that 20 youths were causing problems and targeting another youth in the street.

Reports stated the matter was becoming violent and police were called who came across a group of up to 20 boys around 15 or 16 years old.

A security guard in the area had reported to police that one of the youths had threatened to stab him whilst he was surrounded by the group.

Meanwhile, at approximately 5.20pm at Church Square, a report was received relating to a breach of COVID regulations by youths causing problems and threatening members of the public.

At 5.55pm, officers were called to Lower Hall Street apartments after a report of criminal damage inside the flats by a number of youths. CCTV followed the youths to St Helens Bus Station where officers arrived at the scene. Police say one youth began to swear and shout at an officer and headbutted him.

Then at approximately 6.30pm police received a report that a number of youths had damaged a metal barrier at Church Street. The youths then subsequently climbed onto the roof of the nearby car park and Hardshaw Centre.

At approximately 7.30pm on Lower Hall Street, police received reports that a group of youths were damaging roof tiles inside the communal area of the flats. Two youths were located and taken home.

Meanwhile, at Church Square also around 7.30pm, police patrols were called to Claughton Street after an assault was reported. Police say a girl reported being assaulted and her phone stolen by a group of boys. One of the youths was in possession of a golf club while committing the offence, police say.

On the following day, Thursday, December 10, at around 2pm at the Hardshaw Centre, security staff contacted police reporting a number of boys with balaclavas on were threatening violence to the staff.

At around 7.30pm at St Helens Bus Station, police received a report from staff at the bus station of a number of youths causing problems, threatening staff and abusing bus drivers getting on and off buses.

A number of youths were detained by officers and removed from the area for COVID breaches. One boy was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage.