Extra police powers for Neighbourhood Weekender

A dispersal order will be in place across Warrington town centre during the Neighbourhood Weekender music festival, police have said.

From 09:00 BST on Saturday until the same time on Monday, Cheshire Police said its officers would be able to order people to leave a defined area and not return to it for up to 48 hours.

The force said the move was aimed at keeping visitors and residents safe during the festival, which each year attracts tens of thousands of music fans.

Insp Chris Webster said additional officers would be deployed to help prevent and tackle anti-social behaviour.

He said: "We want everyone to enjoy their time here, whether you're attending the festival itself, you live here or are a local business."

Acts including James, The Wombats, Stereophonics, and The Lathums will perform at the festival across Saturday and Sunday.

Festival organisers announced it would return to Victoria Park this year after last year's break.

The additional police powers - granted under Section 34 of the 2014 Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act - make it a criminal offence to not comply with an officer's direction to leave an area covered by the dispersal order.

Anyone directed to leave will be given a copy of a map of the area subject to the dispersal order, police said.

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