This is the birkenhead.news weekly round-up of police activity in and around Wirral during the previous seven days.
Eastham drug dealer jailed for 16 years
On Thursday 13 April, a drug dealer was sentenced to 16 and a half years in jail in another successful prosecution brought as part of the Merseyside Police response to Operation Venetic: the national investigation into the use of Encrochat encrypted mobile devices.
Mark Edwards, 43, of Eastham, was sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court after pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply Class A drugs (cocaine and heroin) and conspiracy to supply a Class B drug (cannabis).
Edwards, who operated with the Encrochat handle ‘Virtualwine’, tried to evade police detection in order to supply multi-kilo quantities of drugs.
After Youths carrying sticks intimidate female PCSOs in Mersey Park, this happens: Youths identified following anti-social behaviour in Tranmere parks
Police have identified a number of young people who have been causing chaos in Mersey Park and Victoria Park in Tranmere.
Two female PCSOs who were patrolling Mersey Park in Tranmere on 6 April were surrounded and intimidated by a group of youths, some armed with sticks, who lined up and prevented the officers from accessing their police vehicle.
Merseyside Police officers have since identified a number of these youths who have also been causing issues in the areas of Mersey Park and Victoria Park.
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Police investigating unexplained death after body found in docks
Merseyside Police has confirmed that a man’s body has been found in a section of the Wirral docks near Wirral Met College on Tuesday 11 April.
Police received a report of a concern for safety at around 10.15pm on Monday 10 April and following enquiries the body of a man was found in the water at around 2.15pm on Tuesday 11 April.
Suspected arson attack at Liscard property leads to discovery of cannabis farm
Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service (MFRS) attended a fire on Millbank Road in Liscard during the evening of Friday 7 April and Merseyside Police is appealing for information as the fire is suspected arson.
Fire crews were alerted at 23.45 and three fire engines were on scene at 23.47.
On arrival, two firefighters wearing breathing apparatus (BA) were committed under rapid deployment with one rose reel jet to extinguish the fire, prevent escalation, and search the property.
New powers to tackle knife crime and violent offending in Merseyside
New powers to tackle knife crime go live in Merseyside next week (Wednesday 19 April), to further tackle knife crime and violent offending.
Serious Violence Reduction Orders (SVROs) are a new court order to help save lives and reduce serious violence by seeking to change the behaviour of known knife and weapon carriers.
Merseyside Police is one of four forces to trial the introduction of the post-conviction powers, alongside Thames Valley, West Midlands and Sussex.
Next of kin appeal – William Leslie Bowen
Can you help trace the next-of-kin of a person from Wirral who has passed away?
Liverpool and Wirral Coroner’s Office is appealing for help to find the next of kin of a man from Birkenhead.
Some images and information used with kind permission from Wirral Police/Merseyside Police.
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