Merseyside Police launch Garston dispersal zone after fires, Liverpool 2026

Key Points

• Merseyside Police has created a dispersal zone in Garston, Liverpool, from 7pm on Friday, October 16, 2026 until 7pm on Sunday, October 18, 2026.
• The powers have been granted by Section 34 of the Anti-Social Behaviour & Policing Act 2014.
• A person who is considered capable of committing crime or nuisance and is causing or likely to cause anti-social behaviour, can be ordered to disperse and not come back within the next 48 hours.
• Items and vehicles used in anti-social activities will be seized and re-entering the dispersal zone could lead to arrest.
• The zone includes Garston Way, Whitehedge Road, Long Lane, Horrocks Avenue, Speke Road, Banks Road, Blackburne Street and King Street.
• Extra police patrols will be in force over the weekend following reports of anti-social activities including fires and fireworks.
• Inspector Richard Smith appealed to all parents and guardians to talk to their children about the risks of fireworks and to know their whereabouts over the weekend.
• Merseyside Police requested anyone who had any information to get in touch via the Force’s social media desk, website, 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Liverpool Police (Liverpool standard) October 16, 2026 – Merseyside Police has introduced a 48-hour dispersal zone in Garston after reports that youths had intimidated residents, set off fireworks and started fires. Extra officers will be deployed across the area over the weekend as part of the force’s response to ongoing anti-social behaviour.

The additional powers began at 7pm on Friday, October 16, and will remain in force until 7pm on Sunday, October 18. As reported by the Liverpool Echo, the measure is intended to provide officers with an additional tool to disrupt suspected anti-social behaviour in the south Liverpool neighbourhood.

The dispersal zone was authorised under Section 34 of the Anti-Social Behaviour & Policing Act 2014. It applies to police officers and police community support and traffic officers, who may direct a person they suspect is causing, or is likely to cause, crime, nuisance or anti-social behaviour to leave the designated area.

Once directed to leave, a person must not return for up to 48 hours. The legislation also allows officers to seize items used in anti-social behaviour, including vehicles. If someone returns to the area after being directed to leave, they may commit an offence and could ultimately be arrested.

Which streets are covered by the Garston dispersal zone?

The zone covers and includes Garston Way, Whitehedge Road, Long Lane, Horrocks Avenue, Speke Road, Banks Road, Blackburne Street and King Street.

The boundaries mean the powers apply across a substantial part of Garston rather than a single street or location. Merseyside Police said the aim is to provide a visible police presence and deal with incidents as they arise.

Why have police increased patrols in Garston?

Merseyside Police said it had continued to see anti-social behaviour in the area. The force’s response follows reports that young people had intimidated local residents, set off fireworks and started fires.

Inspector Richard Smith said: “We continue to see anti-social behaviour in this area of Garston and more officers will be on patrol over the weekend to deal with any incidents.”

He added: “Our officers will now have an additional tool to disrupt the activities of anyone we suspect is likely to commit ASB.”

The inspector also appealed directly to parents and guardians, urging them to inform children about the dangers of using fireworks and to know where their child is over the weekend.

What did police say to parents in Garston?

Inspector Smith warned that parents could face serious consequences if children become involved in dangerous behaviour.

As reported by the Liverpool Echo, he said: “No parent wants a knock on their door from a police officer informing them that their child has been arrested or been involved in a serious accident.”

The warning was issued alongside the introduction of the dispersal powers, with police highlighting both the risk of enforcement action and the safety risks linked to fireworks.

How can residents report anti-social behaviour in Garston?

A Merseyside Police spokesperson said anyone with information should contact the force’s social media desk, @MerPolCC, on X and Facebook.

Information can also be reported through the Merseyside Police website or by calling 101.

For people who wish to remain anonymous, the force said Crimestoppers can be contacted on 0800 555 111 or through its website.

What happens if someone breaches the dispersal order?

Under the dispersal zone, officers can require a person suspected of causing or likely to cause anti-social behaviour to leave the area. That person must then stay away for up to 48 hours.

Police also have the power to seize items connected to anti-social behaviour, including vehicles. A person who returns after being directed to leave may commit an offence and face arrest.

The powers do not apply indefinitely: they are limited to the weekend period specified by Merseyside Police, ending at 7pm on Sunday, October 18.

Background to the Garston dispersal zone

Garston is an area of south Liverpool where Merseyside Police said anti-social behaviour had continued despite existing policing activity. The force described the dispersal zone as a short-term operational measure designed to disrupt suspected offending and reassure residents during a weekend period when incidents had been reported.

Dispersal zones under Section 34 of the Anti-Social Behaviour & Policing Act 2014 are commonly used by police forces in England and Wales to address localised anti-social behaviour. They give officers a defined legal power to move people away from a specified area for a limited period, while also allowing the seizure of items used in that behaviour.

In this case, the measure was linked by police to reports involving fireworks, fires and intimidation of local people. The force did not announce any arrests in its published statement, but said extra officers would be on patrol throughout the weekend.

Prediction: How the dispersal zone may affect Garston residents

For Garston residents, the immediate effect is likely to be a more visible police presence around the streets covered by the order, particularly during evenings and at weekends. Residents who have experienced fireworks, fires or intimidation may see a faster police response to reported incidents while the powers remain active.

For young people and families in the area, the order increases the risk of enforcement action for anyone suspected of anti-social behaviour. Parents and guardians have been specifically asked to monitor children’s whereabouts and discuss the dangers of fireworks, suggesting police are focusing on prevention as well as enforcement.

If the dispersal zone reduces reported incidents over the weekend, it may provide short-term reassurance for local residents and businesses. However, the order is temporary, so its longer-term impact will depend on whether Merseyside Police continues to receive reports of anti-social behaviour after the powers expire on Sunday evening.