Police appeal for information about criminality in South Sefton

Superintendent Graeme Robson is appealing for anyone with any information about criminality in South Sefton to contact police.

He explained the efforts undertaken by police during a challenging time for the area, and asks the community to stand with us.

He said: “The overwhelming majority of residents living in South Sefton are decent, upstanding people and should be able to get on with their lives free from the fear that a minority of individuals are going to carry out a violent attack on their street.”

“We know there are a number of competing crime groups in South Sefton who have access to knives and guns and using violence to settle disputes and protect their illicit trade in drugs.”

“This has resulted in violent incidents in South Sefton in recent weeks and months, where firearms have been discharged and knives used to cause serious injury.”

“Communities across South Sefton – in #Netherton, #Seaforth, #Litherland and #Bootle – will have got used to seeing officers in their areas in recent weeks responding to those incidents.”

“We have ramped up the pressure on those criminals with a number of arrests, warrants, days of action and gang injunctions. Matrix officers, community policing teams, PCSOs, the dog and mounted section, roads policing and the North West Marine and Underwater Search unit have all been involved.”

“Homes linked to offenders have been searched as well as parks, fields and alleyways. During those searches weapons including firearms and ammunition, knives, a machete, a Taser and baseball bats have all been seized.”

“We have also recovered drugs, large quantities of cash, stolen scrambler bikes and quad bikes, and vehicles which we know have been used by offenders during violent offences have been taken off the road.”

“Section 60 orders have been introduced, empowering officers dedicated to police the orders to stop search anyone matching the general descriptions of those people we believe have been involved in violent crime. Elsewhere, dispersal orders have allowed officers to move on groups of people they believe may be causing a nuisance or planning to."

Supt Robson added: “I know our activity has not gone unnoticed by the communities we have gone into, and we have received many messages of support which provides great encouragement and motivation for our officers.”

“But in the vast majority of incidents, the victims themselves have not assisted our investigations.”

“We cannot tackle this issue alone and police our way out of it. We need everyone affected by violent crime to stand with us and tell us everything they know, either contacting police directly or speaking to Crimestoppers anonymously.”

“I want to take this opportunity to appeal directly to those people who care deeply about the victims in these cases, the families and friends of young males who have sustained serious knife and gunshot wounds, or been the victim of assaults.”

“Do you want this life for your son? Do you want another knock at the door from a police officer because your child has been seriously assaulted during a violent dispute on the streets? If your home is being used to store weapons, or a member of your household is involved in organised crime, they could even be exposing you, your family or your house to the risk of harm.”

“We know there are offenders exploiting young and vulnerable people, dragging them into a life of crime, pressuring them to mind weapons or carry drugs. If you want us to put those offenders behind bars and stop them destroying lives, tell us what you know about those involved and what they are up to. You could provide the key information to put an offender behind bars and stop them causing harm in your community.”

“Much of our activity so far has been a direct response to concerns or information brought to us by members of the public. I appeal to people in Netherton, Seaforth, Litherland and Bootle to continue providing us with information on who is involved in criminality, where offenders are operating and where they are storing drugs and weapons.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Merseyside Police social media desk via Twitter @MerPolCC or Facebook Merseyside Police CC. You can also call 101 or contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously, on 0800 555 111 or via their online form at: https://crowd.in/TIWXpg.