The powers allow police to arrest people if they return to an area they have been asked to leave
17:28, 30 Oct 2025Updated 17:28, 30 Oct 2025
Merseyside Police in Kirkby(Image: Liverpool Echo)
Police have been given extra powers to tackle trouble across the Halloween period. A total of 12 dispersal zones will be in place across Liverpool, Sefton and Knowsley from today Thursday, October 30 until Saturday, November 1.
Four out of six dispersal orders in Sefton, which give police officers the powers to arrest a person if they return to an area they have been asked to leave, will take effect from 3pm today, Thursday, October 30, until 3pm on Saturday, November 1. These zones are in Aintree, Crosby, Hatton Hill and Maghull.
The two other dispersal zones in Sefton will cover Southport and Formby and will become active from 4pm today, October 30 until the same time on Saturday, November 1.
The dispersal zone in Aintree will cover the boundaries of the M57, A59 Switch Island, Northern Perimeter Road, Copy Lane, Browns Lane, Edward Jenner Ave, Heysham Road, Merseyrail Kirkby railway station, Melling Road, Leeds to Liverpool Canal up to M57 including Old Roan and Aintree Railway Stations.
Crosby Halloween dispersal order
In Crosby it will include the boundaries of Crosby Village/Alexandra Park/Coronation Park/Ramblers/Northern Club/Moorside Park area as shown on the map. The zone will cover the area bounded by Moor Lane, Forefield Lane, Moorside Park, Liverpool Road and Coronation Road.
Hatton Hill’s dispersal zone covers Boundary Road, Sterrix Lane, Gorsey Lane, Leeds to Liverpool Canal, Rimrose Brook, Cambridge Road, A565 Crosby Rd South, Peel Rd, Norton Street, Knowsley Road, Linacre Lane and A5038 Netherton Way.
Maghull’s dispersal zone covers Green Lane, Dodds Lane, Ormonde Drive, Broadwood Avenue, Hall Lane, Old Hall Road and Moss Lane.
Aintree Halloween dispersal order
Southport’s dispersal zone will cover the boundaries of Marine Drive, Esplanade, Promenade, Coronation Walk, Portland Street, Talbot Street, Eastbank Street, Virginia Street, Southport Railway Station, Hall Street, Hawkshead Street, Queens Road, Park Road, Park Road West, Promenade and Fairway
Formby’s dispersal zone includes the boundaries of Long Lane Footpath, Church Road, Liverpool Road, Altcar Lane, Hoggs Hill Lane, The Railway line, Kirklake Road, Woodlands Road, Wicks Lane and Freshfield Road.
Formby Halloween dispersal order
These dispersal zones are under Section 34/35 of the Anti-Social Behaviour & Policing Act 2014, which gives police officers the powers to direct people engaging in anti-social behaviour or are likely to become involved in such incidents and not return for up to 48 hours. Officers also have the power to seize items used for anti-social behaviour.
Should a person who has previously been directed to leave but returns to the area, then an offence would be committed, and they may be arrested.
Inspector Neighbourhood Policing Kenneth Sumner said: “We have proactively put this dispersal zone in place to help ensure people stay safe across Sefton.
Hatton Hill Halloween dispersal order
“The dispersal zone gives officers in the area extra powers to approach people they suspect may be there to commit anti-social behaviour or other crimes.
“There will be a highly visible police presence to deal with any issues and provide reassurance to people so that they are not subjected to any such behaviour and can go about their daily business safely.
“I also urge parents and guardians to know where children in your care are and what they are up to, as this will further assist us in dealing with those who cause trouble.
Maghull Halloween dispersal order
“If you witness any anti-social behaviour or have any information about such incidents, please contact or speak to our officers and we will take action.”
Meanwhile in Knowsley, three out of four dispersal orders will take effect from 3pm today, Thursday, and will stay in place until the same time on Saturday.
These zones are in Huyton, Stockbridge Village and Prescot. A dispersal zone will also cover Kirkby between 4pm today and the same time on Saturday.
Huyton town centre Halloween dispersal order (Image: Merseyside Police)
Huyton town centre’s dispersal zone covers the boundaries of Lathom Road, Asda Stores and car park, Huyton Lane, Archway Road, Ellison Grove, Poplar Bank, Derby Road and Huyton Hey Road.
Stockbridge Village’s dispersal zone includes the boundaries of Finch Lane, Yew Tree Lane, Princess Drive, Deysbrook Lane, Mab Lane, all roads contained within Stockbridge Village, including Waterpark Drive, Stockbridge Lane, Knowsley Lane, Primrose Drive and Liverpool Road.
Stockbridge Village Halloween dispersal order (Image: Merseyside Police)
The Prescot town centre dispersal zone is within the boundaries of Liverpool Road, Huyton Lane, Carr Lane, Prescot Park Way, Manchester Road, Bridge Road, Warrington Road, High Street, Derby Street and Liverpool Road.
And the Kirkby dispersal zone covers the boundaries of County Road, Headbolt Lane, Pingwood Lane, Shevington’s Lane, Bank Lane, Prescot Road, Glovers Brow, Kirkby Row, Valley Road and Bewley Drive.
Prescot Halloween dispersal order(Image: Merseyside Police)
Merseyside Police Inspector Andrew Robinson, of the force’s neighbourhood policing team, said: “Sadly we have seen an increase in anti-social behaviour and firework related incidents in Huyton, Stockbridge Village, Prescot and Kirby areas.
“It absolutely is not acceptable for children and young people to think that the Halloween period is a time to behave unruly and recklessly. Please be assured that our officers will continue to provide a high visibility presence over the weekend.
“Stop searches will be carried out and large groups of people will be dispersed so that they behave responsibly and our communities are kept safe. We want people to enjoy the Halloween weekend, but we want them to do so without fear of their fun being spoiled by a minority intent on engaging in anti-social behaviour.”
Kirkby Halloween dispersal order(Image: Merseyside Police)
Two dispersal zones have also been introduced in the West Derby area of Liverpool. The dispersal zones, authorised under section 34/35 Anti-Social Behaviour Crime and Policing Act 2014 have proactively been put in place from today until 2am on Saturday November 1.
The following area is included – Springfield Park boundaries of East Prescot Road, Alder Road and Eaton Road. Eaton Road through to Mill Lane, incorporating Walkers Playing Field and Bill Shankly Playing Fields.
West Derby dispersal zone
A separate zone will cover Muirhead Avenue, Oak Lane, Croxteth Hall Lane, Deysbrook Lane and Town Row.
The aim of the dispersal zones are to remove or reduce the likelihood of members of the public in the locality being harassed, alarmed or distressed and the occurrence of crime and disorder.
Neighbourhood Inspector Kieron Hogan said: “We have proactively brought in these dispersal zones to allow law abiding members of our communities to go about their business without being bothered by antisocial behaviour or disorder.
West Derby dispersal zone
“We would actively encourage anyone who witnesses such incidents to contact us so we can take prompt and positive action.”
To report anti-social behaviour or criminal behaviour contact Merseyside Police social media desk via X @MerPolCC or on Facebook ‘Merseyside Police Contact Centre’. You can also report information via our website: https://www.merseyside.police.uk/ro/report/ocr/af/how-to-report-a-crime/ or call 101.
Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, or via their website here: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/forms/give-information-anonymously In an emergency always call 999.