A 42-year-old man has been prohibited from entering a series of supermarkets, retail outlets and prominent streets across Sefton for the next two years, following a Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) issued at Wirral Magistrates Court.
Order covers multiple stores and key routes
Steven King, of no fixed abode, received the CBO last week after theft of household items from a One Stop store in Formby. The order, which runs until 8 July 2028, restricts him from entering named premises in Ainsdale, North Waterloo, Crosby, Birkdale, and Bootle, as well as major pedestrian areas in Southport. Breaching the order is a criminal offence and can result in imprisonment and/or a fine.
| Premises/Area | Location |
|---|---|
| Tesco (superstore) | Station Road, Ainsdale |
| Tesco Express | Crosby Road, North Waterloo |
| Home Bargains | Moor Lane, Crosby |
| Sainsbury's | Liverpool Road, Birkdale |
| Go Outdoors | Rimrose Road, Bootle |
| One Stop | Cross Green |
| Lord Street | Southport town centre |
| Chapel Street | Southport town centre |
| Ocean Plaza (Marine Parade) | Southport seafront retail and leisure |
Police link action to new cross-agency partnership
Merseyside Police said the CBO was issued as part of the Pan-Merseyside Antisocial Behaviour Partnership (MASP), launched in April alongside the region’s Police and Crime Commissioner. The partnership brings together more than 20 agencies to coordinate responses, share information and apply a range of powers to prevent offending, protect victims and support businesses affected by retail crime.
Chief Superintendent Karl Baldwin, chair of the MASP, said: “We understand the impact on businesses of anti-social behaviour and crime on our communities, especially those businesses who suffer loss, stress and inconvenience when they fall victim to theft. We know that the causes of antisocial behaviour are complex, and that it takes the right agency, at the right time, with the right approach to stop it... When partners share information and use all the tools at our disposal, we can proactively take early, coordination action like this.”
Why this matters locally
The order targets locations that serve as everyday destinations for shoppers across Sefton, including a number of high-footfall streets in Southport and several major national chains. For businesses, repeat thefts and disorder carry direct costs and operational disruption; for residents, the presence of antisocial behaviour in central shopping areas can deter visits and undermine confidence in local high streets. Police say the MASP approach is intended to reduce this pressure by aligning enforcement with early intervention across agencies.
What a CBO means
CBOs are civil orders imposed by a court following conviction for a criminal offence. In King’s case, the order sets out places he must not go. If he enters those premises or areas during the term of the order, he commits a further offence. According to police, the aim is both to protect retailers and the public and to prevent further offending by creating clear, enforceable boundaries.
Areas and retailers covered at a glance
- Southport: Lord Street, Chapel Street, Ocean Plaza
- Crosby/North Waterloo: Home Bargains (Moor Lane), Tesco Express (Crosby Road)
- Ainsdale & Birkdale: Tesco (Station Road), Sainsbury’s (Liverpool Road)
- Bootle: Go Outdoors (Rimrose Road)
- Formby: One Stop (Cross Green)
Police emphasised the role of joint working under the MASP in taking “early, coordinated action” where persistent offending affects businesses and communities. The CBO remains in force until 8 July 2028.
