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<\/p>\nWith Christmas just around the corner and people across Merseyside looking forward to enjoying festive cheer in town centres and in the city, Merseyside Police is launching its Winter of Action. \u00a0<\/p>\n
The initiative, which takes place between 1 December and 31 January 2026, is a major policing push to keep town centres safe during and beyond the festive season by tackling crime, reassuring communities, and ensuring our high streets are welcoming and safe for everyone.<\/p>\n
To shows its commitment to the plan, Merseyside Police gathered with representatives from local authorities and the Police and Crime Commissioner Emily Spurrell at Everton Park to mark the start of the coming months of close partnership working.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chief Inspector David Uren, Winter of Action lead, explained what the public can expect to be different this Christmas than in previous years: <\/p>\n
\u201cPeople in Merseyside have, rightly, come to expect us to prioritise seasonal crime types when December comes around.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s absolutely standard at this time of year for us to be taking focused, targeted actions to ensure our town centres are safe for those enjoying the festive season and post-Christmas sales, whether that be shopping, dining or enjoying the pubs and clubs across Merseyside.<\/p>\n
\u201cAround Christmas we can, sadly, potentially see an increase in some crime types, such as cyber-crime, retail crime, drug and drink driving, burglary, and domestic abuse. We always dedicate extra resources at this time of year to those areas, to try and prevent it impacting our communities.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat\u2019s different this year is what we\u2019re committing to beyond that. In-line with forces nationally, we\u2019re looking past Christmas to a full Winter of Action.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ll be intensifying our work on knife-crime, Violence Against Women and Girls, Antisocial Behaviour, illegal off-road bikes and robbery.\u00a0 We\u2019re determined not to lose momentum on any of the progress we\u2019ve worked so hard to deliver for our communities in 2025.<\/p>\n
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\u201cTo be completely clear, the public should still expect our seasonal crime focus to remain at the same standard they have come to expect. For example, Operation Limit will still be running \u2013 people around Merseyside should still be mindful of potential delays to journeys while officers drug wipe and breathalyse road users.\u00a0 The public should still expect to see armed deployments in the city centre keeping people safe at Christmas markets and major events.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWinter of Action is all of that, plus more.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Emily Spurrell, Police and Crime Commissioner for Merseyside, said:<\/p>\n
\u201cThis summer, through Safer Streets, we showed the power of partnership \u2013 from visible patrols to community engagement, we made real progress in reducing anti-social behaviour and increasing public confidence.<\/p>\n
\u201cWinter of Action builds on those achievements, taking that momentum into the festive season and beyond.<\/p>\n
\u201cTogether with Merseyside Police, local councils, and our community partners, we will deliver targeted patrols, prevention measures, and youth diversion activities, all designed to keep our town centres safe and vibrant.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is about standing alongside our communities \u2013 listening to local voices, supporting businesses, and making sure everyone can enjoy the festive season feeling safe and supported.\u201d<\/p>\n
Local councils will be working alongside police to make town centres safer and more welcoming. They use local powers like licensing and planning to support enforcement, deploy tools such as Public Spaces Protection Orders and Community Protection Notices to tackle antisocial behaviour, and improve public spaces through better lighting and cleanliness.\u00a0 These support our priority which is to keep communities safe. \u00a0<\/p>\n
Merseyside Police<\/a> will be posting regular Winter of Action updates on social media and is encouraging the public to follow along to see the work going on in their Local Policing Area.\u00a0 Find out what\u2019s good up North on our new platform, The Northern Guide.\u00a0
\nFind out the latest in Liverpool here.<\/a><\/p>\n
\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