Section 30 and You

A section 30 is a dispersal order and is applied in designated areas. The areas are chosen because of concerns raised and complaints made to the police and to Liverpool City Council and elected members about anti-social behaviour. This is when people feel uncomfortable or unsafe in certain places such as going to the shops or on streets and in parks because of other people's behaviour.

Large groups of people can worry others even if they do not intend to, but a section 30 order should only be introduced when there have been repeated and regular concerns about a certain place where groups gather or where there is continuing trouble.  

A Section 30 order has to be agreed by both the police and the Local Council and before they are in place there should be attempts made to solve the problems. If the concern is about a group of young people's behaviour they should be contacted and supported to be made aware of how others feel about it and offered positive and practical alternatives to what they may be doing.

Once a Section 30 is set in a particular locality you and your friends may be asked to move on. This applies to a group of two or more. It may not be that you were the people that have been complained about but because the Section 30 dispersal order applies in that locality the police may ask you to move on. You have the right to be treated with respect by the police in the way that they approach you, but you must equally respect them. 

The police may have information or be able to help you about alternative activities and places to go whilst the Section 30 is in place. If you and your friends are on the way to a youth centre or sports centre you should inform the police of that and they should not prevent you from going there.

A Section 30 order can last for six months. You need to know that if you are in a group of two or more, uniformed police officers can ask you to disperse or leave the area and not return within 24 hours. You can be arrested if you fail to follow direction.

If you are under 16 years old and found in a designated area between 9pm and 6am without an adult, you may be taken home.

If you are behaving in a disorderly manner such as being drunk you can be given a fixed penalty notice and fined or you could be arrested.

There will be information available about programmes and activities you can get involved in if   a Section 30 is established in the area where you live or where you meet with friends. Look for posters and leaflets locally and contact youth workers for advice and support.