Anfield crackdown latest: 55 arrested in huge police operation
Around three hundred police officers flooded the streets yesterday
A total of 55 people have been arrested after a large-scale police operation in Anfield involving around 300 officers.
Dozens of warrants were carried out on Wednesday 4th March as part of Operation Vanguard, with officers conducting raids, roadside checks and land searches across the area.
Those arrested are being questioned on suspicion of offences including drug supply, sexual offences, harassment, theft, possession of a weapon and possession of indecent images.
Police also stopped around 160 vehicles at three roadside checkpoints during the operation.
Three people were arrested on suspicion of drug driving and driving while disqualified.
Four vehicles were seized and 20 Traffic Offence Reports were issued.
During searches linked to the operation, officers recovered an imitation firearm, drugs, thousands of pounds in cash, three machetes, counterfeit money and designer clothing.
Expensive items including a Sur-ron bike and Rolex and Tag Heuer watches were also seized.
Enquiries are ongoing.
Operation targeted organised crime
The activity formed part of Operation Vanguard, a large policing operation designed to target people suspected of serious and organised crime.
Officers from several specialist teams were involved, including Matrix, roads policing units, investigation teams and dog and mounted units.
Police said the operation aimed to tackle offences including drug supply, serious violence, domestic abuse, robbery and car crime.
Police say operation shows “contempt for criminality”
Superintendent Col Rooney said the operation had already taken drugs and weapons off the streets.
He said: “Today’s activity has already seen us arrest 41 people, remove dangerous drugs from circulation and take a firearm and machetes off the streets.
“We have also seized expensive watches and significant quantities of cash.
“While hard-working people in our communities go out to earn an honest living, offenders involved in serious organised crime use threats, intimidation and violence to line their pockets through drug dealing and other criminality.
“We are determined to ensure that crime does not pay, and will seize from suspected criminals any ill-gotten gains such as cash and high value items such as designer clothes, watches and jewellery.
“The Proceeds of Crime Act enables us to seize such property and reinvest the proceeds into policing and keeping people safe from the harm criminals bring.”
Wider work across north Liverpool
The operation is linked to wider work across north Liverpool aimed at tackling organised crime and improving safety in neighbourhoods.
Police said activity in the wider area over the past year has included more than 115 arrests, the seizure of more than 30 weapons and more than 100kg of drugs.
Nearly £150,000 in cash has also been recovered.
Officers said the work combines enforcement, safeguarding and community engagement.
How to report information
Anyone with information about crime can contact Merseyside Police via social media or by calling 101.
Information can also be passed anonymously to the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.