Merseyside Police weekend of action tackling GUN and Gang crime in Sefton

Merseyside Police weekend of action tackling GUN an Gang crime in Sefton

Merseyside Police is increasing police resources in South Sefton this weekend, following a rise in tensions between criminal factions, which has resulted in increased violent incidents including firearms discharges.

We have today arrested a man in connection with the most recent of these incidents, in which a 25-year-old man received a serious leg injury after being shot outside his home on Cambridge Road, Bootle on Wednesday night.

An 18-year-old man from Kirkdale was today arrested on suspicion of possession of a firearm in connection with this offence. He has been taken to a police station for questioning by officers.

All weekend, local policing officers will be supported by Matrix officers, intelligence and response staff, and Sefton Council. Members of the public will see our officers carrying out search warrants, open land searches and stop searches as part of this activity. We will be patrolling around key locations in South Sefton and carrying out checks in licenced premises.

A Section 60 order will be in place over the weekend which allows officers to stop and search people in the area, to prevent and detect the carrying of offensive weapons.

Other recent incidents include unconfirmed shootings in Monfa Road, Bootle on Sunday, 12 August and in Hornby Road on Saturday, 18 August.

Over the past six weeks, significant ongoing work has been carried out by local officers, including 20 search warrants, 57 arrests, 377 stop and searches, resulting in the seizure of 20 stolen motorbikes and other items including a handgun (pictured) recovered from a communal garden in Empire Road, Bootle.

We have also received funding from Sefton Council for drugs wipes, to be used when testing suspected drug drivers in the area, and for officers to carry out work on people wanted on recalls to prison.

Active Sefton will also continue their ‘Park Nights’ free sport and activities for young people next week, including Zorb football and climbing, in Bowersdale Park (Tuesday); Derby Park (Wednesday), Marian Square Gardens (Thursday) and North Park (Friday).

Sefton Local Policing Chief Inspector Jerry Harris said: “There will be significant resources in place and activity across South Sefton this weekend as a response to these serious incidents, which we are relentless in investigating, working alongside Sefton Council, housing agencies and local community groups.

“We completely understand the impact that serious crime has on the vast majority of law-abiding members of these communities. If residents see this increase in activity, I want to reassure them that we will keep working with you to disrupt and apprehend those people who bring intimidation, threat and harm to your doorstep.

“Key to any success that we have is information from those communities affected, so I would urge anyone with information about where guns or other weapons are being stored, or who is involved in incidents, to come forward, either directly to police or through the independent charit Crimestoppers.

“Sadly, those who are involved in the supply or drugs and other crime will often resort to using firearms and violence to protect this illegal trade, or to resolve petty disputes. We will never tolerate these reckless actions, and are relentless in our resolve to remove those people and their weapons from our streets.

“No-one should have to put up with drug dealing and the associated crime it brings. We will continue to work together with our communities to improve the quality of life in our neighbourhood and make those communities stronger.”

Cllr Trish Hardy, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities and Housing, said: “We want Sefton residents to feel as safe as possible within their communities and able to access support when it is needed.

“The extra police resources this weekend will be a step towards a better peace of mind for those who have been concerned by recent events.”

Anyone with information on issues affecting your community is asked to contact our social media desk @MerPolCC, call 101 or you can call the independent charity @CrimestoppersUK anonymously on 0800 555 111.