This is the birkenhead.news weekly round-up of Merseyside Police activity in Wirral during the previous seven days.
Two more arrested following Moreton stabbing
A 15-year-old from Tranmere and a 15-year-old from Frodsham, Cheshire were both arrested on Saturday 20 February on suspicion of Section 18 assault late last night and taken to police stations for questioning.
A 12-year-old male from Moreton was released on the same day pending further enquiries.
Section 60 orders for Beechwood, Tranmere and Rock Ferry
Wirral Police introduced Section 60 orders in the Beechwood and Tranmere/Rock Ferry areas on the afternoon of Saturday 20 February, following recent incidents of violence in the areas.
The Order, under S60 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, gives officers enhanced stop and search powers to stop males aged 16-50 in the areas (pictured) and is designed to minimise serious violence.
If you have information about criminality in your area, DM our social media desk on Twitter @MerPolCC or Facebook ‘Merseyside Police Contact Centre’.
Cannabis plants found at Raby
On the evening of Saturday 20 February, Officers from TeamBeb located a number of bin bags containing Cannabis plants in the Raby area.
They have now been removed to be disposed of.
Emotional plea from family of Carol Mighall, missing since January
Carol Mighall was last seen in Rodney Street, Birkenhead, at 4.40pm on Monday 4 January, 2021.
Her family is becoming increasingly concerned about her welfare. birkenhead.news spoke to Cheryl Doyle, who is Carol’s sister-in-law, who made an emotional plea for information confirming that Carol is safe and well.
Eastham drug driver arrested
On Sunday 21 February, local Officers witnessed a vehicle driving erratically on Eastham Rake, this vehicle was stopped and the driver provided a positive road side drug test and arrested.
The male driver turned out to also be in breach of Crown Court Bail for a serious wounding offence and was further arrested for this.
His vehicle has been removed from the road and he was placed in custody awaiting Court on Monday 22 February.
Closure Notice on Birkenhead address
On Tuesday 23 February, local Officers working closely with Magenta Housing served a Closure Notice on an address in Cleveland Street, Birkenhead.
Officers were able to obtain a Closure Order following numerous complaints from the local community regarding ongoing anti-social behaviour.
Wirral Police said, “We will continue to work closely with local residents and partner agencies in order to build safer, stronger communities.”
Busy night for Wirral Police
On the evening of Tuesday 23 February, Wirral Police:
- Issued two COVID-19 fines
- Seized two vehicles
- Arrested two wanted people
- Issued three traffic tickets
- Arrested a disqualified driver
NW Motorway Police at 12 Quays
North West Motorway Police spent time inspecting vehicles at Twelve Quays Terminal on Tuesday 23 February at the docks between Wallasey and Birkenhead.
The HGV carrying concrete blocks on the left in the photograph was found to have seven loose wheel nuts. A Graduated Fixed Penalty Notice (GFPN) issued.
The van in the photograph was found to weigh 5 tonnes, a full 1.5 tonnes overweight. The driver received a GFPN and prohibited from driving the van until it was within the legal weight.
£1.6m drugs haul on Birkenhead to Belfast ferry
Cocaine worth an estimated £1.6 million has been seized in Northern Ireland, as part of a National Crime Agency investigation into drug supply.
The 20-kilo haul was discovered by customs officers at Belfast port after arriving on a ferry from Birkenhead on Monday 22 February.
The vehicle’s driver, a 39-year-old man from Wolverhampton, has been arrested on suspicion of conspiring to supply controlled drugs and is now being questioned by NCA investigators.
Officers using special equipment had to be brought in to recover the drugs, in an operation which took several hours and also involved Belfast Harbour Police, Border Force and the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI).
Wirral Police warn of rogue traders targeting the elderly and vulnerable
On Wednesday 24 February, Wirral Police said it had a number of reports of rogue traders targeting the elderly and vulnerable operating around the Heswall and Thingwall areas.
The rogue traders were offering services such as ‘steam cleaning and garden services’ over the last few days. They had been passing out convincing glossy leaflets with non-existent contact numbers.
A number of elderly residents charged amounts ranging from £380 to £900+. Damage has also been caused by these rogue traders.
Anti-social behaviour involving off-road motorbikes and quads
Wirral Police reported on Wednesday 24 February that they had started to see an increase in anti-social behaviour involving off road motorbikes and quad bikes.
Wirral Police said, “With your support, we will target the people responsible.”
If you have any information that might assist please contact Merseyside Police on 101 or via the Merseyside Police website.
Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. All information is treated anonymously.
Caught speeding at over 100mph on M53
North West Motorway Police spotted a vehicle travelling at excess speed on Wednesday 24 February.
The car was driving on the M53 at speed and ‘undertaking’ – ie overtaking on the inside.
The driver reported for driving in excess of 100 mph.
Sentencing guidelines for driving in excess of 101 mph on a motorway or dual carriageway, can lead to disqualification from driving for a period of 7 – 56 days, in addition to the imposition of a fine, costs and victim impact surcharge, or to endorse with 6 penalty points
ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) survey
Police forces in England, Wales and Scotland are working to engage with members of the public around the use of Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR).
Wirral Police are asking for your views and experiences which are vital to shaping a meaningful strategy for the use of ANPR in policing.
The survey will only take a few minutes of your time to complete and your response will be treated in the strictest of confidence. Your responses will remain anonymous.
You can take part in the survey here.
Uninsured car seized at Bromborough
On Friday 26 February, local officers seized a vehicle that had no insurance on Allport Road, Bromborough.
Wirral Police said, “We are actively patrolling and continue to target individuals who think the law does not apply to them.”
Defective motorbike seized at Birkenhead
Wirral Police stopped this motorbike on Friday 26 February, after being seen driven carelessly in Birkenhead.
Upon further inspection, it transpired that the vehicle had multiple defects and was therefore deemed not to be road legal.
The vehicle was seized from the driver and has been recovered. The driver has been reported for motoring offences.
HMRC phone scam alert
Merseyside Police reported on Friday 26 February that it had been made aware of an increase in calls to people from scammers claiming to be Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs.
The calls claim that HMRC is owed money and that a warrant has been issued for the arrest of the person receiving the call.
Wirral Police said, “This is a scam and HMRC would never make contact by phone. Do not engage with these scammers.”
Please visit the government website for more tips on avoiding internet scams/phishing and best ways of reporting.
Car seized at Bebington
On the evening of Friday 26 February, officers attempted to stop check a vehicle in New Ferry.
It failed to stop and was subsequently pursued. It was located in Quarry Avenue, Bebington.
The vehicle occupants have been reported for offences and the vehicle has been seized.
Woodchurch man charged in drugs conspiracy
On Friday 26 February, Merseyside Police arrested and charged a 53 year-old Woodchurch man on suspicion of conspiracy to supply Class A and B drugs.
The arrest comes part of the national Operation Venetic
Detective Constable John Molyneux said: “Our work to target those who supply and distribute drugs remains ongoing.
“An investigation is ongoing and we will continue to work closely with partner forces up and down the country, as well as North West Regional Organised Crime Unit and the National Crime Agency, to protect our communities and prevent harmful drugs from reaching our streets.”
All images and information used with kind permission from Wirral Police/Merseyside Police.