This is the birkenhead.news weekly round-up of police activity in and around Wirral during the previous seven days.
Eleven jailed for 38 years following operation targeting Wirral OCG
Eleven people have been sentenced to a total of over 38 years in prison following an operation targeting a Wirral organised crime group linked to large-scale drug supply.
During the investigation, two drug supply lines or ‘grafts’ were identified, and the people have now been convicted at Liverpool Crown Court, all for Conspiracy to Supply Class A, following warrants carried out in August this year.
The final two men were sentenced on Monday 12 December.
Police target organised crime groups in Wirral crackdown
Criminals are being targeted as part of a crackdown on serious and organised crime in Wirral, as part of Operation Presley.
Launched 12 months ago, the operation has carried out high visibility patrols to gather information and used criminal behaviour orders, gang injunction applications, land searches and stop and search powers to protect the public from organised crime groups.
Since its launch, 136 stop searches have been carried out, 64 arrests have been made, 12 knifes and one firearm has been recovered. A substantial amount of class A and B drugs have been seized and over £10,000 cash has been seized under the proceeds of crime act.
269 drivers stopped as part of Operation Limit
This week police in Wirral have conducted six ‘Operation Limit’ check sites on Wirral.
They have stopped 269 motorists and administered 29 breath tests/drug wipes.
They advised five drivers who were just under the limit and arrested two for drink/drug drive offences and one for offensive weapons.
PSPO set to come into force in Woodchurch
A new Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) comes into force next week covering part of the Woodchurch estate.
At the centre of the area covered by the PSPO are the shops on Hoole Road in Woodchurch, which historically has been a hot-spot for anti-social behaviour caused primarily by young people.
Over the last 12 months, Merseyside Police has reported receiving a significant number of complaints regarding youths causing annoyance/nuisance in and around Hoole Road shops and the adjacent semi-pedestrianised area ‘The Meadow’, which is a cut-through made up of alleyways, public open space and housing.
Warning for children playing on frozen lake
Recently, police in Wirral have been dealing with a group of youths engaged in anti-social behaviour in Liscard.
Officers have detained two male youths aged 14 and 16 and have returned them to their parents, giving strong words of advice. Police are working to gather the names of those involved so they can take action against them.
A police spokesperson said, “We understand how scary and disruptive anti-social behaviour can be and we will continue to be visible in the area to deter the offenders and support the community.”
Police also responded to reports of children playing on the frozen lake in Central Park (pictured.) A police spokesperson warned, ” Please don’t put yourself or others at risk. Stay off the ice!”
Three arrests after large amount of cannabis found in house in Woodchurch
One woman and two men have been arrested after a large amount of cannabis was found inside a bedroom of a property in Woodchurch on Tuesday 13 December
At around 10.30pm officers searched an address on Carr Bridge Road and discovered a large amount of cannabis in the bedroom of the property, with heat lamps, tents, scales, burner phones and five black bin bags containing cropped cannabis plants.
One woman and two men aged 24, 31, and 25 from Woodchurch were arrested on suspicion of drug offences.
Wallasey man sentenced to three years for County Lines drug dealing
A man from Wallasey has been jailed for three years following an investigation into County Lines drug dealing.
Thomas Ambrose, 28, originally from Wallasey but of no fixed abode, was sentenced to three years in prison at Liverpool Crown Court on Monday 12 December for being concerned in the supply of crack and heroin.
The sentencing comes as a result of an investigation into County Lines drug dealing and the criminal exploitation of children through Operation Toxic.
Stolen quad bike and moped seized
Officers have seized a stolen motorcycle and quadbike in Birkenhead on Tuesday 13 December.
At around 9pm officers on mobile patrol on Farmfield Drive, Beechwood, seized a stolen moped.
As the officers were waiting for a recovery vehicle they were surrounded by three males on two quad bikes. The three males wearing balaclavas drove at the officers causing them to jump out of the way. The males then ran away from the scene leaving the quad bike behind. This was also seized and suspected to be stolen.
Man charged with drug offences in New Ferry
A man has been charged with the supply of crack cocaine and heroin following the execution of a warrant in New Ferry.
Officers carried out a warrant on Thorburn Road yesterday (Tuesday 13 December) as part of an investigation into a drugs county line being operated in the New Ferry and Woodchurch area of Wirral between June and December 2022.
James Byrne, aged 21, of New Ferry was arrested and has now been charged with being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine and heroin.
Some images and information used with kind permission from Wirral Police/Merseyside Police.
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