Op Vermont: Day of action in Kirkby

Officers are in Kirkby today, Wednesday, 15 June, in an ongoing proactive policing operation to prevent crime and protect those living in the area.

The day’s activities under Operation Vermont involve officers from departments across the force coming together to reassure the public on community issues and proactively target criminals.

This is following recent reports of criminality in Westvale in the last week, including a shooting that damaged a house on Springvale Close and anti-social behaviour.

Throughout the day uniformed police have been patrolling the area and talking to locals about the work being carried out to provide reassurance.

A mobile police station is located on James Holt Avenue in Westvale and will be based there until the end of the week.

Officers are also sending out letters to residents to reassure people of the work being carried out, and that we will take action from information we receive.

Land searches are also being conducted in public spaces including land near James Holt Avenue.

Sergeant Simon McEvoy, Targeted Policing for Knowsley, said: “Today’s operation is a proactive approach to tackling issues that matter most to residents in Westvale and keep our streets safe. A lot of the activity carried out is around areas where we regularly have reports of criminality and anti-social behaviour.

“The mobile police station is there until the end of the week and gives residents the chance to come and chat to us about issues that matter to them which they might not have told us about, or they can simply pop by and say hello.

“Action days like this are also a good way for us to obtain intelligence on suspects who will be arrested in the foreseeable future. Keeping our streets safe from anti-social behaviour or criminality wouldn’t be possible without the help of residents, which is vital and really helps us bring offenders to justice.

“Today’s activity supports the work we do every day of the year to tackle offending in our communities. Stop checks warrants, land searches and arrests are happening 365 days a year across Merseyside, often in those areas the public tell us there are issues.

“I would urge people to continue to come forward so we can take action.”

Anyone who has information about drug dealing in the community or knows where weapons are being stored or who is using them can contact us by sending a DM to @MerPolCC, calling 101 or contacting Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Alternatively talk in confidence to Knowsley Council’s Crime and Communities Team by emailing [email protected]