A DISPERSAL order which grants police powers to break up gangs hanging around on an estate troubled by yobs has been extended for six months.

The powers under section 30 of the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003 mean officers can disperse groups of two or more in the Westfield Estate, St Helens town centre, between noon and 4am.

Police can ban a member of a group from returning to the no-gang zone for a 24 hour period.

Anyone who refuses to stick by these terms can face arrest or prosecution.

The order covers three zones: Zone 1-Eccleston Street, Boundary Road, Pigot Street, Lyon Street, Peter Street, Westfield Street, St Helens.

Zone 2-Pigot Street, Lyon Street, Peter Street, Westfield Street, Kirkland Street, Burnell Close, Headley Close, Napier Close, St Helens.

Zone 3-Boundary Road, Kirkland Street, Napier Close, Headley Close, Burnell Close, St Helens.

Neighbours living on the Westfield Estate have endured abuse, damage to their property and vandalism in the past year while teen yobs have caused chaos.

This week the St Helens Star reported how three teenagers had been handed ASBOs at St Helens Magistrates' Court because of their appalling behaviour.

However, we cannot not name them because of reporting restrictions imposed due to the boys' ages.

Terms of the orders state the boys must not:

  • Throw any object at any house, flat, vehicle or person;
  • Use abusive language to any person in a public place;
  • Enter the grounds of private residential property without the express permission of the owner / occupier;
  • Light or be present when any unauthorised fire is lit in a public place apart from organised events between 1st and 8th November inclusive;
  • Urinate in a public place;
  • Climb on street furniture;
  • Encourage or incite others to carry out any prohibited acts on his behalf.

In a statement Neighbourhood Inspector Dawn McNab said: "We have made considerable progress in tackling anti-social behaviour by targeting the zones and individuals identified that are causing the most concern on the estate.

"This approach has seen us obtain three Anti-Social Behaviour Orders(ASBO's) against individuals who reside on the Estate. In addition we have several ASBO applications pending.

"We will with St Helens Council and other partners continue to tackle anti-social behaviour. The extension to the dispersal order will assist us to effectively target those who persist in acting anti-socially."