Police raids in serious organised crime crackdown

More than 300 police officers have been carrying out raids targeting those involved in serious organised crime including drug dealing, child sex exploitation and violence as well as domestic abuse.

Merseyside Police said the force included land and underwater searches as part of its Operation Vanguard with the mounted and dogs teams also involved.

In total 28 warrants in Liverpool, Wirral, Sefton, St Helens and Knowsley have been carried out.

Chief Constable Rob Carden said it was part of a proactive policy of keeping criminals on the back foot, adding that much of their intelligence was provided by members of the public.

It is the third Operation Vanguard and the force said the biggest yet with warrants and extensive police activity spanning every borough of Merseyside.

Police said in addition to the 28 early morning warrants executed there will be further activity throughout the day including:

• Underwater searches in places criminals are suspected of discarding items linked to their offending
• Roadside operations stopping cars suspected of being used in criminality
• Safeguarding of vulnerable people being exploited and used by "heartless and callous" criminals
• Patrols by officers from mounted and dogs teams as well as operation gears targeting the illegal use of electric bikes, e-scooters, and off-road motorcycles

Carden said: "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."

He said: "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.

"Today's activity shows our complete and utter contempt for anyone involved in criminality right across Merseyside."

He appealed for anyone with information which could help prevent criminality in their area to contact the force.

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