Children could face fines for anti-social behavior in Liverpool

Fines could be imposed on children as young as 10 to curb anti-social behavior as a city council admits “nothing works”.

A Liverpool City Council report said “very young children” were often left unattended outside late at night in parts of the Toxteth area of ​​the city.

According to him, the anti-social behavior included “throwing stones and kicking balls into doors and windows, along with abusive and intimidating behaviour”.

The local authority is considering a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO), which would last for three years and allow officials to deal with breaches by issuing fines.

One student who was quoted in the report said they were housed in the area around Whittier Street and Smithdown Road and developed alopecia from the stress of living there and “bottles being shot at our window”.

The student commented: “This was the worst experience of my life. I almost feel sick writing this – it affected me so much.”

The report, which is due to be discussed at a council meeting on Friday, said there were “large gatherings in the streets late into the night, being very noisy and sometimes drinking, with loud music being played from houses and cars well into the night. “.

There was poor street lighting and “poorly maintained and overcrowded housing,” it said, adding: “It is now clear that current interventions are not working.”

A total of 13 acceptable behavior contracts have already been issued to children in the area – some as young as 10 – with the council’s report saying “nothing is working”.

He added: “That’s why we need this PSPO.”

Councilor Laura Robertson-Collins, who represents the area, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that the PSPO would be “one measure used in conjunction with a number of others to help the police and we can send a message that we are tackling it.

“It gives us the opportunities to intervene if necessary.”

She said there were long-term issues such as overcrowding, but added: “It’s a really good area in terms of transport links and schools and we want people to benefit from that.”