Several arrests made in Merseyside as part of joint operation targeting serious and organised crime

Criminals in Merseyside and Cheshire were targeted this morning (Monday 17 October) following five warrants in the area that were part of Operation Crossbow.

This was part of a day of action that saw Merseyside Police and Cheshire Police join forces with British transport police deploying more than 200 officers in a bid to disrupt and deny criminals using roads and the rail network across the region.

Officers from each forces roads policing unit, ANPR teams, dog section, county lines teams and neighbourhood policing officers are carrying out search warrants, targeting illegal vehicles and criminals using the roads and rail network, focusing on those wanted for crime and for not attending court and looking to support vulnerable victims.

During the first warrant of the morning one Albanian man aged 28 was arrested on suspicion of cultivation of cannabis in the Rice Lane area where a cannabis farm with over 400 plants was uncovered by officers in a property over four rooms. Two males aged 34 and 38 were arrested for cultivation of cannabis after a search warrant in Rocky Lane recovered another 300 cannabis plants. Further arrests were made at other locations for possession of controlled drugs and money laundering.

They have been taken to police stations in Merseyside where they remain in custody for questioning.

Chief Superintendent Mark Wiggins said: “During this day of action, we have shown our continued commitment to the communities of Merseyside and Cheshire and our promise to make the region a hostile environment for criminals to operate in. This operation is an extension of the excellent work we do between the forces on a daily basis

I hope the numerous arrests and drugs seized today demonstrate a clear and direct message to those involved in organised crime and who use our roads and rail network to commit crime that they are not welcome in Cheshire or Merseyside, and they will be brought to justice.”

“There is also a strong link between the illegal use of vehicles and other serious and organised crime, which is why all three forces are working together to target those criminals as they attempt to travel across our regions.

If you have any information on those individuals involved in organised crime, violence or drugs including those who intimidate young people to deal drugs on their behalf please contact our social media desk on Twitter @MerPolCC or Facebook ‘Merseyside Police Contact Centre.

You can also contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously, on 0800 555 111 or via their online form at Give information | Crimestoppers (crimestoppers-uk.org). Always call 999 if a crime is in progress.