Merseyside Police Bring In Kirkby Dispersal Zone After Car Attacks 2026

Key Points

• A 24-hour dispersal zone has been put into place by Merseyside Police in certain areas of Kirkby after complaints of youth-related antisocial behaviour.
• Examples of antisocial behaviour include youth pelting motorists with stones, hindering traffic movement, pelting eggs at a shop and being intimidating.
• The area encompasses roads, houses and flats around Roughwood Drive, Jarrett Road and Gilescroft Avenue.
• The order started at 3.15pm and will run till 3.15pm the next day, with Merseyside Police stating that it will be reviewed and possibly extended.
• People taking part in antisocial activities, or are thought to take part in such activities, can be asked to leave for 48 hours.
• Merseyside Police can seize articles that are used in carrying out antisocial behaviour.
• If anyone goes back after having been asked to leave, he/she might commit an offense and end up being arrested.
• According to neighbourhood Inspector Alec Cartledge, there has been an increase in youth-related antisocial behaviour in the past couple of days.
• Merseyside Police has stepped up its patrols in the area, along with the neighbourhood policing unit of Merseyside Police.
• Anti-social behavior or criminal activity can be reported to Merseyside Police via phone calls on 101 or anonymously via Crimestoppers.

Liverpool Police (Liverpool standard) October 13, 2026 – Merseyside Police has introduced temporary dispersal powers in a residential part of Kirkby after reports that groups of youths threw stones at cars, stopped traffic and threw eggs at a shop.

The force said the measures cover an area containing roads, houses and flats within Roughwood Drive, Jarrett Road and Gilescroft Avenue. The dispersal zone began at 3.15pm and is due to remain in place until 3.15pm the following day, after which officers will review the situation and decide whether an extension is necessary.

As reported by the Liverpool Echo, Merseyside Police said gangs of youths had been launching stones at cars and eggs at a shop in the area. The force said officers had received reports of stones being thrown at motorists and traffic being stopped, alongside incidents involving eggs being thrown at a shop and intimidating behaviour.

Why Have Police Introduced A Dispersal Zone In Kirkby?

Merseyside Police introduced the dispersal zone under Section 35 of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014. The legislation allows police officers to direct a person to leave a defined area if they are engaging in anti-social behaviour, or are likely to become involved in such behaviour, and to prevent them from returning for up to 48 hours.

The force said officers also have powers to seize items that are being used in connection with anti-social behaviour. If someone who has already been directed to leave returns to the area, police said that person may commit an offence and could be arrested.

The order is intended to give officers a visible presence in the affected streets and to enable them to respond quickly to incidents. Merseyside Police said officers would be deployed in the area to deal with any issues and prevent offences from taking place.

What Did Merseyside Police Say?

Neighbourhood Inspector Alec Cartledge said the force had seen an increase in youth-related anti-social behaviour in the last couple of days. He said the reports included youths throwing stones at motorists, stopping traffic, throwing eggs at a shop and displaying intimidating behaviour.

As quoted by the Liverpool Echo, Inspector Cartledge said: “Unfortunately we have seen an increase in youth-related anti-social behaviour in the last couple of days. Reports include youths throwing stones at motorists and stopping traffic, throwing eggs at a shop and intimidating behaviour.”

He said Merseyside Police had increased patrols in the area in addition to its dedicated neighbourhood police officers. According to the force, those patrols are intended to deal with issues as they arise and to prevent further offences.

Inspector Cartledge said the dispersal zone, together with other measures, was designed to prevent youths from gathering and causing distress or intimidation to people going about their daily business. He said the action was aimed at stopping a minority of youths from causing unnecessary distress to residents, while also protecting their own safety and welfare.

What Are Police Asking Parents And Residents To Do?

Merseyside Police urged parents to speak to their children about acceptable conduct, to ask what they are doing and to check who they are spending time with. Inspector Cartledge said no parent would want an officer to visit their home to say that their child had been arrested or involved in a serious accident.

The force also asked anyone who witnesses anti-social behaviour, or who has information about such incidents, to contact officers. Merseyside Police said it would take action based on the information received.

Residents can report anti-social or criminal behaviour through Merseyside Police’s social media desk on X, @MerPolCC, or through the force’s Facebook page, Merseyside Police Contact Centre. Information can also be submitted through the Merseyside Police website or by calling 101.

The independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111 or through its website. In an emergency, Merseyside Police said people should always call 999.

Which Areas Are Covered By The Order?

The dispersal zone applies to a small area of Kirkby, covering the roads, houses and flats within Roughwood Drive, Jarrett Road and Gilescroft Avenue. Merseyside Police did not identify any individual premises, vehicles or people in its public statement.

The force said the order would begin at 3.15pm and last until 3.15pm the next day. It added that the situation would be reviewed at the end of that period and that the dispersal zone could be extended if necessary.

What Powers Do Officers Have During The Dispersal Zone?

Under the dispersal order, officers can direct people to leave the designated area if they are involved in anti-social behaviour or are likely to become involved in it. Those directed to leave can be prevented from returning for up to 48 hours.

Officers can also seize items being used for anti-social behaviour. Merseyside Police said that a person who returns to the area after being asked to leave may commit an offence and may be arrested.

The powers are separate from an arrest power in themselves, but they create a legal requirement for a person who has been directed to leave not to return during the specified period. The force said the measures were intended to be proactive and to reduce the risk of further incidents.

Background Of The Development

The development follows reports of a short-term rise in youth-related anti-social behaviour in part of Kirkby. Merseyside Police said the incidents reported in recent days included stones being thrown at motorists, traffic being stopped, eggs being thrown at a shop and intimidating behaviour.

Dispersal zones are a police power created under Section 35 of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014. They allow officers to move people out of a specified location for up to 48 hours when anti-social behaviour is occurring, or is likely to occur, and can include the seizure of items connected to that behaviour.

Merseyside Police said the Kirkby order was introduced alongside increased patrols and the work of its dedicated neighbourhood policing team. The force framed the response as both a measure to protect residents and motorists and a way to reduce risks to young people involved in the reported behaviour.

Prediction: How Could This Affect Kirkby Residents And Motorists?

For residents living within Roughwood Drive, Jarrett Road and Gilescroft Avenue, the immediate effect is likely to be a greater police presence and clearer guidance on reporting incidents. If the reported behaviour reduces, the dispersal zone may provide short-term reassurance to people concerned about stones being thrown, traffic disruption or intimidation near their homes.

For motorists using the affected roads, the measures may reduce the likelihood of further incidents involving stones or stopped traffic while the order remains active. Drivers who witness anti-social behaviour can report it through Merseyside Police’s non-emergency channels, or call 999 if there is an immediate danger.

For parents and young people in the area, the order signals that police are prepared to use dispersal powers and arrest powers where people breach a direction to leave. The force’s message to parents is to discuss acceptable conduct with children and to be aware of where they are and who they are with.