More arrests and seizures after order extended in Everton

A total of 33 people were arrested and 165 stop checked after Section 60 Orders were enforced in Everton for 48 hours.

The original order came into force on 3pm on Thursday 14 December for 24 hours before being extended for a further 24 hours as extra officers were deployed in the area to provide a visible presence to prevent crime or serious violence.

The measure was taken after two men sustained gunshot wounds to their legs in the Everton area on Wednesday 13 December.

The Order, under S60 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, gave officers enhanced stop and search powers to stop individuals in the area and was designed to minimise serious violence.

As well as a Section 60 order, officers carried out a day of action on Friday in Everton Park accompanied by partners from Liverpool City Council’s ASB team, Street Clean and City Watch. 

Officers conducted land searches across Everton Park, where there was a mobile police station, while PCSOs completed letter drops and provided reassurance around the area. Officers were also carrying out high visibility patrols throughout Everton and on quad bikes in Everton Park. 
 
Officers engaged with youth clubs and shops in the area to discuss any issues and gather information about recent incidents.

During the last 24-hour period of the order, officers conducted 81 stop checks and made 12 more arrests. That brought the total arrested over the 48 hours of the order to 33 and the number of stop checks to at least 165.

Moments after the second order was imposed, at around 3.10pm on Friday, a car was stop checked on Belmont Road and upon searching the vehicle two CS cannisters and a significant quantity of cash was discovered. A 42-year-old man from Leicester was arrested on suspicion of possession of criminal property and possession of two Section 5 firearms and  a 25-year-old man from Kensington was arrested on suspicion of possession of two Section 5 firearms, driving otherwise than in accordance of a licence and driving with no insurance, drug driving and possession of criminal property. They have been bailed with conditions pending further enquiries.

Liverpool Targeted Policing Inspector David Grant said: “During the 48-hour period this Section 60 Order was in force, officers have seized drugs, dangerous weapons and significant quantities of cash as well as making number of arrests.

“This order was brought in after a shooting on Wednesday 13 December, when two men, aged 18 and 24, sustained gunshot wounds to their legs. I hope this activity demonstrates very clearly that there is simply no hiding place for anyone who brings misery to our communities. Those who are prepared to use guns on our streets, with little or no regard for other members of the community, will be pursued and brought before the courts.
 
“My message to those involved in gun crime and serious organised crime is clear – Merseyside Police will never rest and we will use everything in our power to reduce these offences.

“We recognise the need to not only tackle those who continue to bring harm and misery to the Everton area, but to engage with those who suffer at their hands, to gather information and to reassure the community that we are on their side. So we have combined enforcement with community engagement and will take the information we have gathered to target our future patrols in those areas and times that are affected most.

“We hope that this Section 60 order, and all of the additional resources involved, provided local residents with reassurance that Merseyside Police will do everything in our power to disrupt those who are intent on causing violence in our communities.”
“Information from the public is vital if we are to continue to break down the organised crime groups who bring misery to our streets and I would appeal to anyone who has information to come forward.

"If you don’t want to contact the police directly, then I would encourage you to use the totally independent and completely anonymous Crimestoppers service.”

You can pass any information by calling 101, via our social media desk @MerPolCC on Twitter or 'Merseyside Police Contact Centre' on Facebook with reference number 23001269221.

You can also contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. Always call 999 if a crime is in progress.