Dispersal order in park after teen yob mayhem
POLICE slapped a dispersal order on a Widnes park after a patrol car’s windscreen and wing mirror were damaged while responding to reports of large groups of youths causing trouble.
A Cheshire Constabulary spokesman said it came into effect on 9.30pm on Saturday and was to last 48 hours.
As well as Victoria Park, the order covered some neighbouring roads. The police car was vandalised while parked on Birchfield Road at around 8pm and taken out of action to be repaired.
Officers had been called to the park several times during Saturday over reports of problems involving ‘anti-social behaviour’ (ASB).
The force spokesman said the responding officers dispersed the youths.
Enquiries are ongoing over the damaged vehicle.
Public opinion over the chaos was divided, with some internet users calling for the authorities to take a harder line in dealing with ASB and others calling for more youth facilities.
Two separate social media users on Facebook and Twitter suggested the police use water cannons to disperse troublemakers. One Facebook user said it was time ‘to take a hard approach and leave the softly softly at home’.
Another called for parents of offending youths to be fined, while another reported seeing a ‘huge group of kids on bikes’ at around 4.30pm, leaving Victoria Park and heading to Wade Deacon.
Several social media users called for more funding for youth services and amenities to keep young people away from trouble.
When the Weekly News visited the park on Monday, most visitors were unaware of problems, although one woman, who asked to remain anonymous, said large groups tended to congregate by the skate ramps and bandstand.
She said they might have been gathering in large numbers due to wanting to see each other as the pandemic lockdown starts to ease.
Under the latest pandemic Government ‘guidance’, people can meet outdoors in groups of up to six people from different households, following social distancing guidelines, but they should not socialise outdoors in a group of more than six people from different households; gatherings larger than six should only take place if everyone is from exclusively from two households or support bubbles.
Kay Jefferson, 76, of Widnes, visiting the park in the day with friends, told the Weekly News she was not aware of problems at Victoria Park in particular but had concerns about pedal bikes being ridden in reckless ways on paths, riding so close – ‘you can feel the draught’.
She said the number of times a bike had nearly hit her was ‘amazing’.
Most visitors to the park were unaware of problems, tending to visit in the daytime or from other towns such as St Helens and Runcorn.
One couple had seen a police car with a smashed window outside Widnes Police Station on Gerrard Street.
Cheshire police said they are committed to protecting residents’ safety.
Chief Inspector Catherine Pritchard, of Widnes Local Policing Unit, said: “On Saturday, July 11, officers attended the Victoria Park area of Widnes on a number of occasions in response to reports of anti-social behaviour.
“As a result of the incidents involving groups of young people a decision was taken to issue a dispersal order under Section 34 of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime And Policing Act 2014.
“The order was put in place at 9.30pm to prevent any further offences from taking place and is due to expire at 9.30pm on Monday, July 13.
“A number of people were dispersed from the area when the order was put in place.
“Officers patrolled the area throughout the weekend.
“Residents’ safety is my priority and we will continue to pay special attention to the Victoria Park area after the dispersal order has expired.”
Anyone with any information about the incident, which occurred at around 8pm, is asked to call Cheshire Constabulary on 101, quoting IML 752301, give the details via www.cheshire.police.uk or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.