Merseyside Police officers have filled the streets across the region as part of a large-scale policing operation codenamed Operation Vanguard. Dozens of raids have taken place in a region-wide day of action.
300 officers involved in first wave
The police force said 300 officers were involved in the first wave of raids this morning, executing 28 warrants. Officers are in Liverpool, Wirral, Sefton, St Helens and Knowsley, where they have been proactively targeting people suspected of causing harm to those communities through various criminal activity.
People throughout Liverpool and surrounding areas will see officers from numerous teams including Matrix, County Lines, dog and mounted police, and underwater search teams undertaking what is the largest day of action the policing operation has seen since it formed.
Operation Vanguard and EVOLVE initiative
Police said Operation Vanguard reinforces their commitment to keeping communities safe by taking strong action against those involved in criminality. Police have been actively targeting those driving serious and organised criminality in Liverpool, Sefton, Wirral, Huyton and St Helens as part of the EVOLVE initiative.
Work under EVOLVE has focused on disrupting serious and organised crime, making arrests, seizing drugs, weapons, illicit cash and assets, engaging the community, especially young people, and supporting broader area-wide crime reduction and community confidence building.
Further activity planned throughout the day
This morning saw 28 warrants executed, and throughout the day there will be further activity including land searches, underwater searches, roadside operations by the Roads Policing Team, safeguarding of vulnerable people being exploited by criminals, patrols by mounted and dog teams, Op Gears patrols targeting illegal use of e-bikes, e-scooters and off-road motorcycles, and targeting of suspects wanted for offences including domestic abuse, serious violence, fraud, neighbourhood crime and drug-related offending.
Chief Constable's statement
Chief Constable Rob Carden said: “This is the third Operation Vanguard in Merseyside. While the first focused on Knowsley and the second was in Liverpool, today we have deployed targeted operations to all of our Basic Command Units in Wirral, Sefton, St Helens/Knowsley and Liverpool.
“It is an operation involving a significant number of officers deploying a vast range of tactics and should leave criminals in absolutely no doubt that this force has complete contempt for criminality.
“If you are involved in crime, you are not welcome here and the scale of today’s activity demonstrates very clearly the strength of our resolve to rid all of our communities of the harm offenders bring.
“If you are dealing drugs, storing and using weapons, or assaulting or abusing vulnerable people, you have nowhere to hide in Merseyside.
“This morning 28 warrants have so far been carried out and throughout the day our Roads Policing teams will be stopping cars suspected of being used in criminality and taking action against drink and drug drivers and those who use our roads for criminal activity.
“A number of searches will be carried out including by the North West Underwater Search Team in those places criminals are suspected of discarding items linked to their offending.
“Our officers are also identifying vulnerable people who have been exploited by criminals and offering them support and signposting to other agencies who can help them.
“Our work will continue into the evening, supported by colleagues from the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit, local authorities and other partners. Mobile police stations will be in place and I would encourage anyone with questions, concerns or information to speak to our officers.
“Today’s activity shows our complete and utter contempt for anyone involved in criminality right across Merseyside.
“We all have a vested interest in making sure the county we love is a safe place to live, work and visit. Today’s positive enforcement action together with the support and compassion we can offer victims show very clearly whose side we are on.
“Our message to criminals is very clear – we don’t want you in our communities and we will pursue you relentlessly.”
If you have any information which could help police prevent criminality in your area call 101, or contact police on social media @MerPolCC. You can also report information via the website. Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, or via their website. In an emergency always call 999.
