POLICE have imposed a dispersal zone in St Helens town centre.
Officers say they have put the order in place in a bid to prevent people being distressed by those engaged anti-social behaviour.
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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 who are engaging in anti-social behaviour or are likely to become involved in such incidents.
These powers will not be used for anyone visiting the area and going about their daily business.
The order starts from 6pm this evening (Friday, February 16) and lasts for 48 hours until 6pm on Sunday, February 18.
In a statement, police said: "The dispersal order under section 34/35 Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 has been authorised in an attempt to remove / reduce the likelihood of members of the public in the locality being harassed, alarmed or distressed.
"The following streets, including all streets and spaces within, are included: A58 Linkway West, A58 Linkway East, Parr Street, Shaw Street, Hall Street, Standish Street, College Street, Duke Street, A570 Boundary Road and Kirkland Street",
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