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Chloe
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Social Media Officer at @MerseyPolice - Previously wrote for @WIRRALGLOBENEWS
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Today (Wednesday, 4 March) approximately 300 Merseyside Police officers and staff will be involved in Operation Vanguard, a large-scale operation that sees a swathe of officers lock down an area to enable them to proactively target those involved in criminality and causing the most harm to that community.
Residents in Anfield will see a huge police operation as officers from across Merseyside including targeted teams, Matrix, County Lines specialists, Roads Policing, Investigation, mounted and dogs teams, with the support of the North West Underwater Search team, leave no stone unturned in this relentless offensive targeting criminals in their area.
Operation Vanguard reinforces Chief Constable Rob Carden’s commitment to have contempt for criminality whilst at the same time showing compassion for victims and the decent law-abiding people, who suffer as a result of the criminality taking place on their streets.
Operation Vanguard supports the day-to-day activity our Local Policing officers carry out, to keep our communities safe, by taking strong action against those involved in criminality.
Criminality has a massive negative impact on families and the most vulnerable in our communities and today we will be targeting those involved in serious organised crime (drug crime and serious violence), domestic abuse, County Lines, modern day slavery, burglary, robbery, drug and drink driving, and a whole host of other offences.
Since the start of the financial year officers in have been working to tackle issues including violence against women and girls, burglary, car crime, drug supply, drug driving, robbery, and serious violence.
Police have been actively targeting those driving serious and organised criminality in Anfield as part of the EVOLVE Everton-Vauxhall Clear and Hold phases. Work under the EVOLVE initiative has focussed on:
- Disrupting serious and organised crime
- Making arrests and seizing drugs, weapons and illicit cash
- Engaging the community, especially young people, through Dear Merseyside and prevention programmes
- Supporting broader area-wide crime reduction and community confidence building
The combination of enforcement, safeguarding and engagement reflects a sustained and multi-faceted approach to improving safety and local quality of life rather than isolated short-term activity.
Activity has included:
Multiple plain-clothes operations leading to arrests for drug supply, weapons possession and related criminal activity in Anfield and nearby streets
The seizure of drugs, cash and weapons (including machetes and large amounts of Class A and B drugs) from those suspected of being involved in drug-related activity
And the sentencing of one offender for possession of a bladed article
Although Anfield is on the periphery of the EVOLVE Everton-Vauxhall area, which launched in January 2025, the work there contributes to the wider measurable success of the Clear, Hold, Build model across north Liverpool:
The operation has delivered more than 115 arrests, seized more than 30 weapons, more than 100kg of Class, A, B and C drugs, nearly £150,000 in cash seized, executed 120 warrants and carried out more than 630 stop searches demonstrating sustained enforcement focused in organised crime
There have also been more than 40 safeguarding referrals and a 28% increase in intelligence submissions in the last 12 months
The area has also seen the following changes in the last 12 months:
- Arrests have increased by 7%
- Violence with injury has decreased by 11%
- Residential burglaries have fallen by 13%
- Commercial burglaries have reduced by 4%
- ASB has fallen by 6%
- Violence without injury has reduced by 6%
- Recorded offences of drug dealing have increased by 72% due to the proactive work targeting offenders
- Overall crime has increased by 2% — reflecting the increase in the identification of drug dealing
Partnership activity under the EVOLVE ‘Build’ phase includes engagement with young people through the Dear Merseyside campaign, participatory budgeting for community groups with a panel of pupils from North Liverpool Academy deciding which groups were to receive a portion of the £50,000 funding pot, ‘Days of Action’, detached youth work and environmental improvements which benefit areas like Anfield through broader north Liverpool initiatives.
Last month Kevin Weetman who was involved in drug supply in the area, was convicted of the Manslaughter of Eric Greener and Sheila Jackson at their home in St Helens and conspiracy to supply Class A drugs and was sentenced to Life imprisonment to serve a minimum of 25 years.
This morning we have so far executed 14 warrants 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 and used by heartless and callous criminals
- Reassurance visits
- Activity by the County Lines team
- Patrols by officers from our Local Policing Team, supported by officers from Matrix, Licensing, firearms and our Mounted and Dogs teams
- Activity by the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit
- Targeting of suspects wanted for numerous offences including those involved in domestic abuse, serious violence, fraud, neighbourhood crime and drug related offending amongst other criminality
Chief Constable Rob Carden said: “This is the second time that we have implemented Operation Vanguard in Merseyside and shows our determination to take those involved in criminality off the streets.
“The scale and impact of today’s operation should leave criminals in absolutely no doubt - we are here, we are watching, and if you are involved in criminality you can expect a knock on your door.
“This morning 14 warrants have so far been carried out and throughout today our Roads Policing teams will be stopping cars believed to be used in criminality and taking action against drink and drug drivers, and a number of searches will be carried out including searches by the North West Underwater Search Team.
“Our officers will also be carrying out reassurance visits throughout the day and identifying vulnerable people who have been used by criminals to offer them support and signpost them to other agencies who can help them.
“Our work will continue throughout the day and into the evening and we will be supported by colleagues from the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit, Liverpool City Council and other partners.
“Today’s activity shows our complete and utter contempt for those involved in criminality, whilst at the same time giving the community the compassion, understanding and support they deserve. Our message to criminals is clear – we don’t want them in our communities and we will be relentless in our pursuit of them.
“The protection of the public is a vital part of today and we will be supporting and safeguarding vulnerable victims, alongside our partners including Liverpool City Council and local charities and support services.
Chief Constable Carden added: “Whilst today shows our clear intention to deal with criminality on our streets using all the resources we have to hand, it firmly supports the activity that our officers and dedicated teams carry out every day of the year to keep our communities safe.
“We are stop searching suspects every day, conducting warrants at their homes, searching their properties and stopping their cars.
“We want to improve the lives of the decent law-abiding people in our communities and the work being undertaken today and across the year would not be possible without people having the strength to come forward. I want to take this opportunity to urge members of the public to keep telling us where criminals are operating, where they are storing and carrying drugs and weapons, and I promise we will use all the powers and tools at our disposal to take robust action. Your call could make a positive difference, not only for you and yours, but also for your neighbours and the wider community. You can make calls anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 and we will act on information we receive.”
Liam Robinson, Leader of Liverpool City Council, said: “It is essential that our communities feel safe in their homes and can enjoy everything their local area has to offer without worry or fear.
“We work closely with Merseyside Police throughout the year on a range of community safety initiatives that support residents and help prevent criminality. The action being taken by Merseyside Police today is vital to protecting our neighbourhoods and preventing harm.
“I want to thank Merseyside Police and all our partners for their hard work and dedication in delivering this operation. To those involved in criminality, today’s activity demonstrates that there is no hiding place. The safety and wellbeing of our communities will always come first.”
If you have any information which could help us to prevent criminality in your area, let us know so that we can take action and ensure our communities can enjoy their local areas safely.
You can do this by calling 101, or contacting us on social media @MerPolCC. You can also report information via our website: https://t.co/9NutygRkDX
Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, or via their website here: https://t.co/VpiHlVLxeR In an emergency always call 999.
When we said we were ready for a ‘Winter of Action’, we meant it — and the results speak for themselves.
🌟 Over 1,000 arrests have been made across #Merseyside since 1 December as part of the national campaign.
Our officers have been intensifying efforts to tackle key crime types including drink/drug driving, retail crime, Violence Against Women and Girls, antisocial behaviour, robbery, and more. Our goal is simple: to make town centres across Merseyside safe, welcoming and enjoyable for everyone.
Over the past two months, our teams have been out in communities day and night — preventing crime, making arrests, and offering reassurance.
Here’s the breakdown of the arrests made (1045 in total):
🛍 125 Retail Crime arrests
🚓 29 Street Crime arrests
👊 151 Violent Assault arrests
⚖️ 34 Sexual Offence arrests
🚫 87 ASB-related arrests
🚗 619 Op Limit arrests (Drink/drug driving)
We’ve also seen significant increases during the operation:
🔹 Retail crime arrests are up 26% compared to the previous two months
🔹 Street crime arrests have risen by 71%
While the arrest numbers are high and some crime type arrests have increased, we would like to reassure you all that this is due to the intensified work of our officers, not because the crime itself has risen.
This operation has been delivered alongside the Merseyside Police and Crime Commissioner and our local council partners — all united in the commitment to create safer places to live, work and visit 💙
These results show just how dedicated we are to protecting our communities and keeping Merseyside safe. #WinterOfAction
Today would have been Ellis Cox’s 21st birthday.
A 21st birthday should be a day of celebration, but sadly Ellis’ family will be marking another special occasion without him 💔
Ellis was fatally shot on Sunday 23 June 2024, aged just 19, at Liver Industrial Estate in #Aintree.
We are still determined to find the people responsible for Ellis’ murder and give his family the justice they so deserve.
In a tribute issued today (Sunday 18 January) his family said 🗣️ “Our beautiful Ellis. He was full of life. He was grateful for everything and everyone and had such big dreams. He wanted to travel, see the world and experience all life had to offer. He loved people and people loved him.
“His humour, his beautiful heart and his swagger meant everyone wanted to be his friend and he welcomed everyone in.
“Today we should be celebrating his 21st birthday with him and spoiling him but instead we are once more making an appeal for information and begging those who know anything about that night to speak up and do the right thing help us get justice for Ellis.
“Ellis was the best son, grandson, brother, uncle, nephew, cousin and friend. His life has been cut short and for what? Who callously took him from us? Help us make our streets safer before more innocent lives are taken.
“The city will light up for you on Sunday Ellis in your favourite colour, orange. We love and miss you beyond words and our lives will never be the same again our hearts are broken.
“We are your voice now and silence will never be an option for us; we will not give up until justice is served.”
@CrimestoppersUK is currently offering a reward of up to £20,000 for information provided directly to the charity that leads to the conviction of those responsible for the murder of Ellis – this will remain in place until Monday 6 April 2026.
You can provide information anonymously to Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111.
(Pictured: Ellis with his cousin and niece, and his mum on holiday)
#OPVANGUARD | 27 people have so far been arrested during a large-scale policing operation, codenamed Operation Vanguard, in Stockbridge Village and Huyton today.
More than 250 police officers are conducting warrants, roadside checks, land and underwater searches and more in a sustained and relentless offensive against criminals operating in our local communities. The activity will continue throughout the day.
Those detained were arrested on suspicion of offences including 🔽
Supply of Class A and B drugs
Sexual assault
Possession of indecent images
Domestic assault
Drug driving
Drink driving
Theft
Criminal damage
A quantity of cocaine, cannabis, e-bikes and watches have also been seized by officers and will be forensically examined.
Watch this video to see the convoy of vehicles leaving our headquarters this morning 💪
Read more about #OpVanguard here ➡️ https://t.co/XP8ZAemgyG
Keep an eye on our channels for a further update and full video later on today 👀
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❄️ Last week we launched our annual campaign - Operation Limit - which urges motorists not to drink or drug drive over the #Christmas period.
Unfortunately, in the past week, our officers have arrested 105 people across #Merseyside for drink and drug driving offences - yes, you read that right, over 100 people 👎
#OpLimit aims to catch those who are prepared to get behind the wheel while they are intoxicated - putting other road users and pedestrians at risk.
Our Roads Policing officers are absolutely relentless when it come to ridding our roads of people who chose to drive under the influence. They run the length and breadth of Merseyside proactively testing.
But this is very much a team effort - and a special mention goes to our St Helens Targeted team, who not only got the very first Op Limit arrest, but have also made the most arrests of any neighbourhood team this week.
In terms of Response and Patrol area teams, nobody comes close to Wirral R&P this week, who are leading the way in vigilance and testing for their area 👏
👉 The message from us is really simple – do not drive if you are under the influence.
This Christmas, think about keeping everyone safe. Speak up to your loved ones if you don’t think they should be driving, look out for one another and help keep our communities and our roads safe. Everyone should make it home to their families 💙
‘Ay lad…let’s have a man to man’ 👊
Today, we are launching ‘Man to Man’, a powerful spoken-word piece calling on men to prevent street harassment and help make our communities safer for women and girls.
Released as part of ours and @MerseysidePCC #TakingAction campaign to tackle Violence against Women and Girls (VAWG), this poem delivers a message: it’s time for men to step up, think about their behaviour and lead the change 💙
Written and performed by #Liverpool poet Joseph Roberts, ‘Man to Man’ uses raw honesty and evocative language to highlight the impact of harmful behaviours and inspire a cultural shift toward the safety of women and girls in the places they live, work and socialise.
This campaign speaks directly to men, urging them to take responsibility and call out unacceptable behaviour wherever they see it.
Watch the video, share the message, and join the conversation - #MantoMan.
We’re not here to call you out, we’re here to call you in🤝
Today PD Quga will retire from the force 💙
Quga joined us in January 2020 and licenced as a General-Purpose Police Dog in April that year.
Within a matter of weeks of being a Police Dog, Quga showed her handler how incredible she was truly going to be!
She has produced so many amazing results and we couldn’t be prouder of her ✨
Outside of work Quga enjoyed nothing more than chilling at home with her handler and family living alongside her K9 partner, PD Obi. She thrived most when she was in the midst of dealing with criminals wanting to take her on, she really enjoyed nothing more.
Quga developed her own reputation of being a powerful and strong dog, not only with colleagues, but also in neighbouring forces and her legacy will never be forgotten 💪
She continued week in week out to deliver results and bring countless criminals to justice, many of whom felt the real force and consequence of committing crime when she was on duty.
Speaking about PD Quga, her handler said: “The best compliment I can pay her is that to work with her has been an absolute privilege.
“Her true loyalty and dedication are something I will always remember.”
Thank you for your service PD Quga, you will be truly missed by us all ❤️
A total of 12 members of an organised crime group have been sent to prison for more than 100 years after three firearms, ammunition, cash and £100,000 worth of cocaine were found at addresses and in cars in #Litherland.
Watch the moment George Medway, Aaron O’Brien, Thomas Ball, Matthew Ball, Joshua Hayes and Anthony Bennett got arrested 👀
The sentencing of these 12 people for firearms and drug offences is as a result of a 15-month investigation into a Sefton based organised crime group.
Members of this OCG possessed weapons, such as a Skorpion machine gun, that have been used to kill innocent people in #Merseyside. Victims have died after being caught in the crossfire of disputes between groups like this who depend on violence, threats and intimidation to maintain their trade in illegal drugs.
So many lives have been torn apart by OCGs but we continue to work on a daily basis to rid our communities of them, bring offenders like these to justice and remove the extremely dangerous weapons and illicit drugs they possess from circulation 👏
You can read the full press release via the ‘news’ section of our website.
It's the final countdown ⏰
Over the past month, we have been asking you all to complete the social media survey we are currently taking part in.
We want to thank everyone who has taken the time to fill out the survey so far (nearly 1,400 of you!) 👏
But...we are currently sitting in 6th place on the leaderboard and we would love #Merseyside to reach number one with the most respondents nationally 🏆
The survey closes THIS Friday, so you only have a few more days to let us know your thoughts on our social media channels.
Link to the survey here ➡️ https://t.co/jfT7dk3Ghm
💗
In Merseyside we’re building brighter futures ❤️
#DearMerseyside is a poem by young Liverpool poet Joseph Roberts – it’s powerful, honest and full of hope.
Essentially a love letter to #Merseyside, it gives a voice to young people growing up in areas worst affected by serious and organised crime.
It addresses the problems they face such as gang culture and knife crime while offering solutions and hope, reflecting on the ‘love where you live’ ethos behind Clear, Hold, Build – known here in Merseyside as #EVOLVE.
It’s part of our work to build safer, stronger communities and is a wider school-based project with Joseph delivering spoken word workshops to young people, guiding them how to write them own versions and helping them to find their voice.
💬 Like, comment and share to show your support.
#LoveWhereYouLive #ClearHoldBuild #SilenceIsNotAnOption #Police
“It’s been 12 months since I’ve seen my baby, since I’ve hugged him, kissed him, said love you night night, smelt him, heard him laugh” 💔
Those are the words of Carolyn Cox, who has spent the last year without her son Ellis.
Ellis Cox, aged 19, was fatally shot at the Liver Industrial Estate in #Aintree on Sunday 23 June 2024.
In this video, Carolyn shows us special pictures of her son inside the family home and recounts the last time she ever spoke to him.
We know that people out there have information about who took Ellis from his family, and it is now time to speak up 🗣️
Consider what Ellis’s family have been through and do the right thing.
Contact us via social media @MerPolCC or call 101 with any information you have. You can also call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 quoting reference 24000554719.
Let’s get justice for Ellis 🧡
Did someone say #BringYourDogtoWorkDay? 🐶 – We get the pleasure of bringing our four-legged friends to work every day! 😍
Here's pictures of just some of our beautiful, brave, hard-working dogs who help keep the communities of #Merseyside safe! ❤️
We have some great news to share with you all! 💕
Last night, community groups, charities and organisations in #Southport all bid for a share of £25,000, made available using money seized from criminals under the Proceeds of Crime Act 💪
Participatory budget events like these are held across #Merseyside throughout the year and it is a chance for the people who live and work in the areas to decide how the money should be spent for the benefit of their communities.
Bidders, who included a men's support group, a football club, an anti-poverty charity and a youth club, each had two minutes to present to the audience and explain what they propose to use the funding for.
It was a fantastic evening and all 18 entrants ended up walking away with funding ranging from £600-£2,000 each! 👏
Our officers are so proud to support the community of Southport, you can see them pictured at the event wearing their 'Support Southport' t-shirts 👕
Click the link to read the full press release, and see more about what all of the incredible organisations are doing for the Southport community ➡️ https://t.co/iXSyvhnvtk
We would like to take this moment to pay tribute to Alice Da Silva Aguiar, Bebe King, and Elsie Dot Stancombe who will be forever in our hearts and never be forgotten.
Our thoughts are with all of the victims who were injured and traumatised at Hart Space on Monday 29 July.
What happened on that day has impacted the community of Southport and across the country forever.
#SouthportTogether 💗
Today, Saturday 18 January, would have been the 20th birthday of Ellis Cox.
Sadly, he is not here to celebrate it with his family and friends.
On Sunday 23 June 2024 Ellis was fatally shot at the Liver Industrial Estate in #Aintree and an investigation is ongoing to find the people responsible.
A number of people have been arrested in connection to the murder, but no one has been charged yet.
Watch this video to hear from Ellis's mum and auntie on this difficult day💔
Let's get justice for Ellis.
If you have any information, you can visit our dedicated web page to submit information or footage which can help in the investigation of Ellis’s murder: https://t.co/mpC2x2L1h3
You can also contact us via social media @MerPolCC or call 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 quoting reference 24000554719.
You can read the full press release here ➡️ https://t.co/c7XHtaGf0o
This drunk driver’s evening ended with his car flipped upside down in a field after he drove at incredible speed during a pursuit with our officers.
Luckily, he and no one else was injured, but the story could’ve ended very differently.
This 28-year-old man was found guilty of Drink Driving on Friday 20 December.
He was given a 12 month disqualification, fine of £261, costs of £84, victim surcharge of £104.
#OpLimit is a national campaign that runs throughout December, focusing on tackling drink and drug driving across the festive period 🎄
As #Christmas approaches, please take a moment to stop and think before you get behind the wheel intoxicated. By making the wrong decision, you are putting yourself and innocent people at risk 💔
Leave the keys at home 🔑 It takes a second to ruin a live on our roads.
Anyone who believes someone is driving under the influence on either drugs or alcohol is encouraged to call 999.
Was a pleasure working with Larry on this video! Congratulations to him and PD Quga on winning at the #CFA24 🤩
PD Quga & handler Con Larry Hancock have won the Chief Constable’s Community First Award!
Quga joined us at 18-m-o & licenced as a General Purpose dog in April 2020.
Over the past 3 years, Larry & Quga have caught more than 70 suspects 🌟
Watch to see Quga in action 🔽 😍
Some of our Police Dogs wanted to wish everyone who celebrates a Happy ‘Howl’oween! 👻 🐶
If you are out trick or treating this evening, have fun but please remember to stay safe!
Visit our website to read more about how to stay safe this spooky season.
Someone out there knows who killed Sam Rimmer on Tuesday 16th August 2022 in #Dingle
@CrimestoppersUK are now offering a reward of up to £20,000 to help solve Sam's murder.
It's time to come forward #SilenceIsNotAnOption.
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