Police given enhanced powers in Liverpool following disorder

Two special orders that allow police officers enhanced powers to stop and search people have been introduced in Liverpool following national disorder. Merseyside Police confirmed a Section 60 order and Section 34 dispersal order have been introduced and will run from 11am today to 1am tomorrow morning, Sunday, August 18.

Section 60, under S60 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, gives officers enhanced powers to stop and search individuals in the area and is designed to minimise serious violence. Section 34, of the Anti-Social Behaviour & Policing Act 2014, gives police officers and police community support traffic officers powers to direct people who are engaging in antisocial behaviour or are likely to become involved in such incidents.

Search parameters have been expanded to any person aged 12 to 70 and include the British Transport Police stations of Lime Street, Moorfields, Central and James Street. The force said the powers won't affect people who are lawfully in the city. Under the legislation, officers have the power to seize any item "used in the commission of anti-social behaviour".

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 order covers an area that stretches from the River Mersey to beyond Wavertree Botanic Gardens.

The most recent orders follow a number of similar ones put in place by the force to combat disorder in Liverpool. Following the deaths of three young girls in Southport, protests which turned violent took place, both in the city centre and in Walton.

Merseyside Police Chief Inspector Sarah Rotherham said: "These orders will give officers on the ground the ability to stop and search anyone suspected of carrying weapons or planning any criminality and strengthen their ability to protect the community from incidents of disorder. The ultimate aim of this tool is to keep the public safe. We will continue to deploy such tactics where we believe they can help our efforts to keep people safe."

Anyone with information about criminality and disorder is asked to DM @MerPolCC, message ‘Merseyside Police Contact Centre on Facebook’ or @CrimestoppersUK on 0800 555 111. You can also pass information anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Always call 999 if a crime is in progress.