Police step in after large disturbance on James Roby Way
Police have arrested eight people after encountering a large-scale disorder on a road in St Helens in which those involved were reported to be armed with poles and baseball bats. Officers were travelling to an unrelated incident when they came upon the disturbance on Thursday evening and intervened, detaining everyone involved.
The force said the group were confronted on what is now named James Roby Way (formerly St Helens Linkway). Those arrested include six males aged 15 to 19, all from St Helens, who are held on suspicion of affray and possession of offensive weapons in a public place. Two further men, aged 18 and 22, both from St Helens, have been arrested on suspicion of affray. All remain in police custody for questioning.
Enhanced powers brought in to prevent further violence
Merseyside Police have introduced a Section 60 stop-and-search order covering a swathe of the borough and a separate dispersal order, both designed to stop further public disorder and reassure residents. The Section 60 order was put in place on Friday and is subject to review; the dispersal order runs for a limited period and allows officers to direct people to leave designated areas if they are suspected of causing, or likely to cause, nuisance or crime.
- Number arrested: 8
- Teenage suspects: 6 (aged 15–19)
- Additional suspects: 2 (aged 18 and 22)
- Powers deployed: Section 60 stop-and-search and a dispersal order
"Such violence will not be tolerated," said Inspector Paul Varley, adding that extra officers were patrolling the area to reassure residents and that the powers were intended to reduce violence rather than disrupt ordinary life.
Where the stop-and-search applies
The Section 60 order covers a wide area of St Helens. Police listed the streets within the order to help residents understand where officers have enhanced powers:
- East Lancashire Road
- Moss Bank Road
- Carr Mill Road
- Stanley Bank Way
- Blackbrook Road
- Fleet Lane
- Broad Lane
- Bold Lane
- Travers Entry
- Reginald Road
- Mill Lane
- Elton Head Road
- Rainhill Road
- Thatto Heath Road
- Prescot Road
- Westfield Street
- Dentons Green Lane
- Rainford Road
Dispersal area and legal powers
The dispersal order is in force until the stated deadline and covers a smaller, defined area bounded by East Lancashire Road, Abbey Road, Hard Lane and Rainford. Under Section 34 of the Anti‑Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, officers may direct anyone they suspect of causing or likely to cause crime or nuisance to leave the designated area. That direction can include a prohibition on returning for up to 48 hours and allows police to seize items, including vehicles, used in the commission of anti‑social behaviour.
| Measure | Purpose | Expiry (initial) |
|---|---|---|
| Section 60 | Enhanced stop-and-search to prevent serious violence | Due for review at 14:00 on Saturday |
| Dispersal order | Direct people to leave area to prevent anti-social behaviour | In place until 14:00 on Sunday |
What residents should know
Police say extra patrols have been deployed to reassure the community and to act on intelligence. Inspector Varley emphasised that the measures are not intended to hinder people going about their daily business or meeting friends, but to target those intent on causing harm. Officers have also asked anyone with information about the incident or related offences to speak to them.
For residents, the immediate practical effect may be an increased presence of officers stopping people in the designated streets and being directed to leave the dispersal area if involved in anti‑social behaviour. Police also have the power to seize items used in wrongdoing. The force will review the orders at the published times and decide whether to lift or extend them based on ongoing inquiries.
As inquiries continue, local people are likely to want assurance that public spaces are safe. The arrests and the use of statutory powers signal a robust response from policing, but they are only the start of the legal process. Those detained remain in custody as officers examine evidence and determine next steps.
