Huge police operation targets Huyton and Stockbridge Village

More than 250 police officers are carrying out a large-scale policing operation, codenamed Operation Vanguard, in Stockbridge Village and Huyton today (Thursday 11 December).

Residents will see a huge number of officers and police vehicles on the ground as Merseyside Police and other partners target those responsible for criminality in our local communities.

Operation Vanguard reinforces the Knowsley Community Safety Partnership's commitment to keeping residents safe by taking strong action against those involved in crime.

The overwhelming majority of residents in Knowsley are decent people who work hard and want to live in peace, but their lives are often blighted by those involved in criminality, whether that be drug supply, serious violence, Violence Against Women and Girls, robbery, retail crime, theft or serious organised crime.

This morning Merseyside Police has executed 16 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 by ruthless criminals
• Reassurance visits
• Activity by the County Lines team
• Patrols by officers from the Local Policing Team, supported by officers from Matrix, Licensing, Trading Standards, firearms and Police 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: "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 is one of the largest operations of this type that we have conducted in many years and demonstrates very clearly our contempt for those involved in criminality.

"This morning we have seen doors of suspects going in and throughout the day cars will be stopped, undergrowth and canals searched and there will have been significant numbers of officers on patrols in those areas the public tell us have been harmed by criminality. That work will continue throughout the day, and with colleagues from North West Regional Organised Crime Unit and British Transport police, Knowsley Council and other partners in this unified endeavour to tackle criminality.

"Today's action reinforces our commitment to cracking down on crime and putting offenders behind bars, and we will not stop until justice has been served.

"The focus of all of this is the protection of the public, and a vital part of today is the support and safeguarding we provide for vulnerable victims, alongside our partners including Knowsley Council and local charities and support services.

"Yesterday marked the end of 16 Days of activism across the world to end violence against women and girls, but our work to eliminate an issue that causes harm across Merseyside goes on 365 days a year and bringing offenders who hurt women and girls to justice is a key part of today's activity."

Chief Constable Carden added: "While today is all about making a clear statement of intent in our fight to tackle criminality, I want to stress that the activity we are undertaking today goes on right across Merseyside 24 hours a day, seven days a week and 365 days a year.

"We are stop searching suspects every day, conducting warrants at their homes, searching their properties and stopping their cars.

"Criminals have no right to conduct their offending here in Merseyside and we will go on disrupting them every day so that they are left in no doubt that they are not welcome here.

"The people of Merseyside have been a huge support in these efforts, and I ask that you keep telling us where criminals are operating, where they are storing and carrying drugs and weapons, and we will, using all the powers and tools at our disposal, take robust action."

Cllr Graham Morgan Leader of Knowsley Council added: "We know from speaking to our residents that feeling safe in their homes and communities is a huge priority for them. We know how much it matters to people that's why we are so committed to working with our Police colleagues to bring to justice those who disrupt the lives of our residents.

The message is clear from Knowsley - if you break the law, there will be consequences."

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.

If you have any information please call 101 or contact us on social media @MerPolCC. You can also report information via our website: https://www.merseyside.police.uk/ro/report/ocr/af/how-to-report-a-crime/

Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, or via their website here: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/forms/give-information-anonymously In an emergency always call 999.