Merseyside Police executed 28 search warrants across the region on Thursday morning as part of Operation Vanguard, with 300 officers deployed to target serious and organised crime.
Children led away as homes raided
In Netherton, officers kicked down the front door of a semi-detached home, leading two children away to relatives who arrived within half an hour. The couple inside were questioned while their home was searched.
The raid was one of 28 carried out across Liverpool, Sefton, Wirral, Knowsley and St Helens under Operation Vanguard, introduced by Chief Constable Rob Carden since he took charge last year.
Chief constable's message
Chief Constable Rob Carden said: "I think the importance of doing something like this, it demonstrates to the public that we've listened to them and we've acted on the information they've provided. So, the 28 warrants that are taking place across Merseyside today, they're based on information that's been provided to us."
He added: "If you're involved in criminality in Merseyside, you've put yourself in play, and it's up to us to do something about it. Vanguard is just one way of doing things. We're already planning the next one, it will be bigger than this one."
Multi-agency operation
The operation involved mounted officers, dog units, the underwater search team, and support from local authorities and the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit. Activities included land and underwater searches, roadside operations, safeguarding of vulnerable people, and patrols targeting illegal e-bikes and off-road motorcycles.
Sefton Area Commander Chief Superintendent Karl Baldwin said: "The scale of today's operation should leave criminals in absolutely no doubt - we are watching, and if you are involved in criminality, we will target you relentlessly."
He noted that in the last 72 hours, 56 people had been arrested across Sefton for offences including burglary, robbery, theft, driving offences, violence and domestic abuse, not counting arrests made during the operation.
