Youths run amok and march through Preston setting off fireworks as police issue dispersal order

A group of youths marched through the streets of Preston setting off fireworks last night.

Lancashire Police received reports of the anti-social behaviour in the Ribbleton Park area on Monday evening (September 14).

The group then continued towards Preston city centre where more fireworks were set off in the area around Preston Bus Station.

Lancashire Police said officers on patrol were flagged down by members of the public and alerted to the youths’ behaviour, while the force control room received a number of complaints about fireworks.

Police responded by putting a Section 34 order in place across the city centre, giving officers powers to disperse individuals and groups suspected of anti-social behaviour.

The order was to remain in place until 2am on Tuesday (September 15), but police said the youths had left the city centre by around 9pm.

A police spokesperson said: “We received reports around youths setting off fireworks in the Ribbleton Park area.

“The youths have then continued into the town centre, resulting in further calls and officers being flagged down.

“As a result, a Section 34 order was put in place for the town centre until 2am. Most youths have then left and the issues settled down.”

City centre Sgt Tom Rettie warned ASB will not be ‘tolerated’ and police officers will be patrolling the city today to prevent further disorder.

‘We won’t tolerate ASB’

He said: “A large group of youths were in the area causing issues in relation to anti-social behaviour and utilising fireworks.

“So a Section 34 dispersal order was authorised until 2am which allowed police officers to disperse and get rid of individuals from the area, who are involved or likely to be involved in anti-social behaviour.

“The individuals who caused the issues were moved and no further issues occurred.

“The neighbourhood team and Preston Police are doing as much as we can in relation to anti-social behaviour.

“We’re working with Trading Standards and doing joint operations with upcoming for Bonfire Night and Halloween in relation to ASB.

“We’ve also got police officers and PCSOs going into schools and doing inputs in relation to fireworks and how they affect us with anti-social behaviour and how dangerous they are.

“We won’t tolerate ASB. I will have police officers out today and over the coming days and if there’s any issues, please come and speak to us.”