Merseyside Police has been granted additional powers to disrupt suspected criminal activity
A general view of St George’s Hall in Liverpool city centre, where the UKIP march and anti-fascist counter-protest will take place (Image: Reach PLC)
Police have been granted additional powers to disrupt suspected criminality ahead of a UKIP march in Liverpool’s city centre. Merseyside Police has confirmed a section 34 dispersal order and a section 60 order have been introduced today, Saturday, to help the force prevent possible criminality and disorder.
The dispersal order became active at 10am this morning and will remain in place until 9.59am on Monday. The order, under the anti-social behaviour and policing act 2014, gives police officers additional powers to counter people engaging in criminality and anti-social behaviour.
The UK Independence Party (UKIP) confirmed it was gathering at St George’s Place in the city centre for a “Liverpool mass deportations’ march”. It claims the plan is to “reclaim Liverpool from the far-left and send a message to the government”.
A counter protest organised by Stand Up to Racism also plans to gather at St George’s Hall to “oppose fascist UKIP in Liverpool”.
The UKIP march is due to finish near Liverpool Women’s Hospital in Toxteth. City leaders said the timing and route of the rally raises “serious questions about intent and impact”.
Liverpool City Council leader Liam Robinson said: “The hospital is in close proximity to the African Caribbean Centre, which will be hosting a significant community celebration. The potential for disruption, distress, and intimidation in these spaces is unacceptable.”
The UKIP march will also coincide with the marking of Slavery Remembrance Day. Mr Robinson added: “Let me be clear: hate speech, racism, and bigotry have no place in Liverpool. We will not tolerate any attempt to undermine the safety, dignity, or cohesion of our communities.”
Merseyside Police said the additional powers will not be used for anyone visiting the area going about their daily business. Under the legislation, officers have the power to seize any item used in the commission of criminal activity. Should a person who has previously been directed to leave the area return, an offence would be committed, for which they may ultimately be arrested.
The section 60 order will run from 10am to 10pm today and gives officers additional powers to search people who are suspected of involvement in criminality and disorder. It also includes a section 60AA authorisation, meaning failure to remove a face covering when asked by an officer could result in arrest. Any face covering can also be seized by a police officer.
A map of a police dispersal zone put in place on August 23 ahead of a UKIP march in Liverpool(Image: Merseyside Police)
Superintendent Karl Baldwin said: “These orders are not intended to disrupt anyone going about their lawful business today in the city centre, but instead will be used to help keep everyone safe.
“These orders are to ensure the people who live, visit or work in our city centre can do so free from crime and anti-social behaviour, and I would ask people to continue reporting any concerns and we will take action.
“The aim, as ever, is to keep the public safe. I hope that the presence of our officers in the city centre is reassuring, and I would ask anyone with concerns to speak to those officers. If you witness any criminal behaviour, or have any information about such incidents, please contact or speak to our officers and we will take action.”
The dispersal zone is bordered by Princes Parade, William Jessop way, Waterloo Road, Paisley Street, Great Howard Street, Leeds Street, Byrom Street, Hunter Street, Islington, Brunswick, Low Hill, Hall Street, Towerlands Street, Irvine, Mount Vernon, Grove Street, Oxford Street East, Smithdown Lane, Crown Street, Upper Parliament Street, Parliament Street, Queens Dock.
Responding to criticism about the force’s apparent facilitation of the UKIP march, superintendent Baldwin previously said: “We know that there is concern in relation to the protest and that some people believe that Merseyside Police has the legal power to stop a protest from being carried out.
“In this country we police by consent. The police therefore police without fear or favour and are apolitical. It is vitally important that the police act with impartiality when working with all parties when peaceful, i.e. non-violent protest is planned.”
UKIP reached its greatest level of success in the mid 2010s when it gained two members of parliament. The party has continually seen an embarrassing decline, earning just 6,350 votes nationwide during the 2024 general election.