{"id":478497,"date":"2025-10-06T16:48:14","date_gmt":"2025-10-06T16:48:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/478497\/"},"modified":"2025-10-06T16:48:14","modified_gmt":"2025-10-06T16:48:14","slug":"merseyside-police-marks-end-of-summer-phase-of-safer-streets-campaign","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/478497\/","title":{"rendered":"Merseyside Police marks end of summer phase of safer streets campaign"},"content":{"rendered":"

Merseyside Police\u00a0and the Police and Crime Commissioner\u00a0have reiterated their\u00a0commitment\u00a0to making town centres safer as the summer element of the national Safer Streets campaign\u00a0draws to an end.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

The Force\u2019s\u00a0local policing\u00a0teams, working in collaboration\u00a0with the\u00a0Commissioner\u00a0Emily Spurrell and\u00a0with partners, has engaged with communities\u00a0through a series of\u00a0action days\u00a0which have taken\u00a0place across the region, bringing mounted police, air\u00a0and\u00a0bike support and other specialist teams into the heart of local hubs.\u00a0\u00a0In addition, there has been an increase in neighbourhood officers attending\u00a0local surgeries, youth\u00a0programmes\u00a0and\u00a0summer festivities.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Sarah Rotherham, Local Policing Superintendent,\u00a0said: <\/p>\n

\u201cAntisocial Behaviour has been a key area of focus for the campaign. Increased patrols in hotspot areas have continued to deliver positive results for residents, and the successful launch of Op Gears \u2013 the force\u2019s dedicated operation aimed at tackling scrambler bikes \u2013 resulted in the seizure of 163 illegal two-wheeled bikes in August alone, bringing the 2025 total to 789\u00a0so far. There has also been\u00a0a\u00a0450% increase in intelligence reporting, directly contributing to arrests,\u00a0charges\u00a0and vehicle seizures across Merseyside.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cLocal, ASB focused operations \u2013 such as Operation Zinc in Knowsley\u00a0\u2013\u00a0have made use of both high-visibility and plain clothes deployments, while partnership campaigns such\u00a0as \u2018Safe Nights, Great Places\u2019 and\u00a0Pubwatch\u00a0in St Helens have focused on fostering a safer night-time economy, leading to Purple Flag accreditation.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"Merseyside<\/p>\n

\u201cRetail Crime and Business Protection have been a key focus of the campaign, with Criminal Behaviour Orders being issued to prolific shoplifters and multiple arrests and charges for burglary and robbery. The\u00a0Shopwatch\u00a0initiative has helped to strengthen links between police and retailers; over a hundred\u00a0additional\u00a0reports of theft were made in its first month of implementation.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cThe force has continued to prioritise work to end Violence Against Women and Girls across the summer months, with Operation Topaz leading to the arrest of 19 suspects, including\u00a0for\u00a0domestic abuse and harassment,\u00a0and more licenced premises staff being trained in the \u2018Ask for Angela\u2019 initiative. \u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve\u00a0made multiple arrests for the possession and intent to supply class A and B drugs. Police dogs were also deployed successfully on search warrants to disrupt drug networks \u2013 all aimed at safer communities and safer streets.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

As well as a series of proactive action days, Emily\u00a0hosted a series of community walkabouts in known hotspots across the region, giving residents the opportunity to meet her, local policing\u00a0teams\u00a0and Councillors. These events provided a platform to discuss concerns and\u00a0observe\u00a0the work being done to tackle anti-social behaviour, retail\u00a0crime\u00a0and street crime.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

In addition, a wide range of diversionary activities were delivered over the summer with \u00a3100,000 funding from the Commissioner\u2019s Youth Empowerment Scheme {YES} focused on preventing crime and antisocial behaviour and giving young people positive opportunities during the school holidays.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"Merseyside
\nEmily\u00a0said:<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Safer Streets\u00a0Summer\u00a0campaign has shown the power of partnership in action. From tackling antisocial behaviour and retail crime to removing dangerous, illegal bikes off our roads and protecting women and girls, our communities have seen real, visible results.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cOur commitment to safety\u00a0doesn\u2019t\u00a0end with the summer. We work year-round to make our streets safer, our town centres more welcoming, and our neighbourhoods stronger. I want to thank everyone involved, from officers on the ground to community partners, for helping to deliver a safer Merseyside for all.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cI also want to thank the public for their vital continued support and engagement. Whether\u00a0it\u2019ssharing intelligence, attending community events, or simply speaking with local officers, your involvement makes a real difference. Together, we\u2019re building safer, more resilient communities across Merseyside.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

While summer may be at an end, Merseyside Police\u00a0is\u00a0committed to\u00a0maintaining\u00a0focus on local town centres and enhancing community engagement\u00a0as part of the Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee. \u00a0<\/p>\n

Find out more information on the Merseyside Police website<\/a>.
\nFind all the latest Liverpool news\u00a0here<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Find out what\u2019s good up North on our new platform, The Northern Guide.<\/strong>\u00a0
\nFrom the best hotels, beauty spots, days out, food and more up North \u2013 visit\u00a0thenorthernguide.com<\/a>\u00a0and follow The Northern Guide on Instagram\u00a0HERE.<\/a><\/p>\n