POLICE will be using handheld metal detectors as part of a crack down on anti-social behaviour and criminality in St Helens town centre this weekend.

A temporary dispersal zone and using stop-search powers with the handheld metal detectors will be in operation from 6pm today (Friday, April 28) until 6pm on Sunday (April 30).

This comes after concerns over knife crime were heightened follwoing a multiple stabbing last weekend, which resulted in the death of 20-year-old Ryan Lamb.

A murder investigation is taking place.

Officers will this wekend use stop and search powers, supported by the use of the metal detectors, and the force's mounted section and special constables will also patrol the town centre.

The area covered by the dispersal zone includes the area bounded by Tolver Street, Birchley Street, Corporation Street, King Street, A58 Link Way West, A58 Link Way East, Parr Street, Shaw Street, Canal Street, Bold Street and Liverpool Street The zone has been brought in under Section 35 of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 which gives officers and police community support traffic officers powers to direct people they suspect are causing or likely to cause crime, nuisance or anti-social behaviour to leave the area for up to 48 hours.

St Helens Star:

Map shows the boundaries of the dispersal zone

If a person has been directed to leave the area and returns during the period of the dispersal notice, an offence will have been committed.

Any breaches of this can lead to their arrest.

Community Neighbourhood Inspector Matt Drennan said: "We are using every power available to us to keep residents and visitors to our town safe so they can enjoy all that St Helens has to offer.

“We have successfully used dispersal orders to tackle a variety of issues, from anti-social behaviour and violent crime to drug dealing and again this weekend will be targeting people involved in this type of criminality.

"There will be also volunteer street pastors patrolling this evening offering support and advice.

"The dispersal zone gives us the powers we need to deal effectively with people and I would urge anyone in the area who has any information about criminality in their area to contact 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111."