Police issue dispersal order after large gang cause havoc at Stockport Interchange

A dispersal order has been put in place across Stockport town centre after a large gang of youths caused havoc at the bus station. Police made four arrests during the disturbance on Saturday night.

Now a Section 35 order has been authorised giving police extra powers to move people on from the area. The order covers a large part of the town centre, including St Petersgate, Merseyway Shopping Centre, Redrock, bordering Great Egerton Street and George Street, Grand Central, Stockport Interchange and Wellington Street. It runs until 7.55pm on Bank Holiday Monday.

A statement on the GMP Stockport Facebook page says: "The dispersal order has been brought in to help police address concerns around the behaviour of a small group of individuals. It gives officers temporary extended powers to reduce anti-social behaviour and prevent disruption to the public."

It's not the first time Stockport's new £135m interchange has affected by anti-social behaviour since it opened in March. Yesterday (Saturday) detectives issued an update on an investigation into an attack at the station that left a 65-year-old man fighting for his life.

Two 14-year boys arrested on suspicion of assault in connection with the incident on the night of April 23 have since been released under investigation.

The 'defenceless' victim was initially described as being in a critical condition. In an update, police yesterday described his injuries as 'serious'.

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Detectives are continuing to appeal for witnesses and say they are 'particularly interested' in speaking to a female who was at the interchange before the attack, with a GMP spokesperson saying: "It is important to highlight she is a witness not a suspect in the investigation."

She is described as white, of slim build, approximately 17-years-old, with long dark blonde hair, tied up in a pony tail. She was wearing a black North Face coat, grey polo neck t-shirt, cream pants and black boots.

She boarded bus 313 from Bus Stand S. She is asked to contact police 'as soon as possible'.