Police issued a dispersal order in an area of Lancashire after receiving a number of anti-social behaviour reports last night (April 4).

The dispersal order was in place in Fleetwood from 8.30pm until 1am today (April 5).

Police also released a map of the dispersal order which was centralised to the Memorial Park area.

A dispersal order gives officers additional powers to tackle those causing issues within the communities.

Officers have the power to ask a person to leave any part of the area, confiscate items, and taking persons under the age of 16 home.

Those failing to comply can be arrested.

This order only relates to those committing or likely to be committing crime or anti-social behaviour and does not affect the lawful residents, visitors and workers in the town.

A police spokesperson said: “Due to a number of calls received reporting anti-social behaviour in the Memorial Park area, inspector 298 Ormand has authorised a section34 dispersal order under the anti-social crime and police act in the area detailed on this map between 8.30pm and 1am.

“There will be an increase of officers in the area to robustly deal with those causing disorder.

“Under section 35 of the act, Police officers and PCSOs in uniform can disperse groups, direct individuals to leave any part of the area defined in the order, confiscate any item the officer believes is being used or likely to be used in any anti-social behaviour or take any person believed to be under the age of 16 home.

“Failing to comply with any a direction given by an officer is a criminal offence and you could be arrested, resulting in a criminal conviction and appearing at court.

“This order only relates to those committing or likely to be committing crime or anti-social behaviour and does not affect the lawful residents, visitors and workers in the town.”