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A general image of a Merseyside Police officer (Image: Merseyside Police)<\/p>\nA 17-year-old boy has been arrestedA general image of a Merseyside Police officer (Image: Merseyside Police)<\/p>\n
A significant amount of drugs and cash were found at a house in Everton during a raid. Officers from EVOLVE Everton-Vauxhall, one of Merseyside\u2019s four Clear, Hold, Build areas, were on plain clothes patrol on Whitefield Road in the early hours of Saturday (October 25) when they spotted a male on an e-bike ‘acting suspiciously’.<\/a><\/p>\n Following a police chase officers found the boy in a nearby house. Police searched the address and uncovered a large amount of suspected crack-cocaine, heroin and cannabis, around \u00a32,000 and drug supply paraphernalia.<\/a><\/p>\n The owner of the property has been identified as a vulnerable person and safeguarding measures have been put in place, police <\/a>said.<\/p>\n A 17-year-old boy from Everton <\/a>was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply class A and B drugs and possession of criminal property.<\/p>\n He was taken to a police station for questioning and has been released under investigation.<\/p>\n Chief Inspector Andrew Fielding, one of the senior officers involved in EVOLVE Everton-Vauxhall, said: \u201cCriminals who take over the homes of vulnerable people in a practice known as cuckooing cause real harm, not just to individuals but to whole neighbourhoods.<\/p>\n \u201cCuckooing is a cruel tactic used by drug dealers to hide their activity behind the door of someone vulnerable.<\/p>\n \u201cExploitation has no place in our communities and we will not tolerate it.<\/p>\n \u201cThanks to the action of our officers we have been able to safeguard this vulnerable occupant and disrupt the supply of drugs.\u201d<\/p>\n Chf Insp Fielding added: \u201cWe urge people to keep telling us information about those involved in criminal activity.<\/p>\n \u201cEvery piece of information helps us protect the vulnerable, target those who seek to exploit them and bring them to justice.<\/p>\n \u201cIf you suspect someone is being exploited, please come forward \u2013 your call could make all the difference.\u201d<\/p>\n Anyone with information on drug crime can contact Merseyside Police social media desk via X @MerPolCC or on Facebook<\/a> \u2018Merseyside Police Contact Centre\u2019. You can also report information via our website: https:\/\/www.merseyside.police.uk\/ro\/report\/ocr\/af\/how-to-report-a-crime\/<\/a> or call 101.<\/p>\n Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, or via their website here: https:\/\/www.crimestoppers-uk.org\/get-involved\/campaigns\/give-information-100-anonymously-about-organised-crime-in-merseyside<\/a><\/p>\n How to spot the signs of cuckooing<\/strong><\/p>\n Ask yourself:<\/p>\n Is there increased antisocial behaviour, including noise disturbances and littering?<\/p>\n Are more people entering and leaving the property than normal?<\/p>\n Are there signs of drug use?<\/p>\n Is there damage to the property such as broken doors and windows, or blacked out windows?<\/p>\n Are there people in the property that seem out of place, such as people with non-local accents or school-aged youths?<\/p>\n Is there an increase in bikes and cars parked outside?<\/p>\n Are there signs of wealth that seem out of place?<\/p>\n Has your neighbour\u2019s general wellbeing and mental health declined?<\/p>\n Who is targeted?<\/strong><\/p>\n The following individuals are sometimes targeted for cuckooing:<\/p>\n \u2022 Those who suffer from drug and\/or alcohol addiction<\/p>\n \u2022 Those who are struggling financially<\/p>\n \u2022 The elderly<\/p>\n \u2022 People with mental health issues<\/p>\n \u2022 Individuals with learning disabilities<\/p>\n How can you help?<\/strong><\/p>\n Merseyside Police will support anyone who is a victim of cuckooing and work with partners to safeguard victims and identify the criminals.<\/p>\n If you know of someone who is a victim, there are a variety of ways you can get in contact:<\/p>\n\n