More than 300 Merseyside Police officers took part in a major operation across Merseyside on Thursday, forcing open doors during a series of dawn raids. Dozens of people have been arrested after police swooped on addresses across Liverpool, St Helens, Knowsley, Sefton and Wirral.
Operation Vanguard details
Officers executed search warrants, carried out roadside checks and searched land in what police described as a sustained crackdown on organised crime. A total of 41 people have so far been arrested after 35 warrants were carried out as part of Operation Vanguard, with further police activity expected to continue throughout the day.
Those arrested are being held on suspicion of offences including rape, possession of indecent images, possession of a bladed article, possession with intent to supply Class A and Class B drugs, burglary, theft, threats to kill, possession of criminal property and harassment.
Items seized
During searches, officers seized more than £50,000 in cash, around £500,000 worth of suspected designer goods, a Land Rover, cannabis, suspected cocaine, a knife, three e-bikes, three e-scooters and 26 bicycles.
