Police and community leaders speak to residents on walkabout in Rock Ferry

Police, community leaders and partners did a walkabout in Rock Ferry today, Wednesday 1 February, to provide residents with reassurance on the proactive policing work we are doing to remove criminality from our streets.

Community police officers and local councillors visited residents in the roads surrounding Rock Ferry to provide information on the crime prevention tactics targeting criminals.

The walkabout was also an opportunity for people to discuss and raise any concerns on issues in their area.

Community Policing Inspector Daniel Greenhalgh said: “Sergeant Tim Cottrell and I did the walkabout with community partners so we could speak directly to residents on any issues affecting the neighbourhood, and we reiterated to everyone that we will act on any information given to us.

“The walkabout went really well as it gave us an opportunity to reassure residents of the proactive policing work we are doing to remove criminality from our streets which harms our communities.

“Feedback from residents was very positive – they were pleased with the high police presence in the area, and that a warrant was executed at a vulnerable person’s address recently where a significant number of drugs were recovered. We also do regular licence checks with Wirral Council’s licensing team by visiting pubs across the borough to ensure that proprietors are adhering to the regulations.

“Some residents raised concerns of anti-social behaviour taking place on a local green area and we will continue to work with local housing officers to proactively manage the minority of individuals who cause such a nuisance in the neighbourhood.

“Residents were also thankful of having the Neo Centre to rely on, which is a welcoming community hub for people to go to take part in activities there, use the café facility and food shop. We work with the centre to build positive community relations so they feel safe in reporting issues that matter to them.

“Everyone appreciated that we were there to listen to their views and they could also see the work we are doing to prevent and disrupt serious and organised crime.”

Inspector Greenhalgh added: “The walkabout was also an opportunity for us to emphasize the importance for people to come forward with information and intelligence on any crime or suspicious behaviour that is taking place in your community.

“It really does help us, and we do act on information given to us, so I urge people to continue to do this and to let us know. They can either contact us directly or anonymously via Crimestoppers and we will do the rest."

Last month, officers have made nearly 400 arrests and carried out more than 1,260 stop searches in Wirral. Arrests included:

• Officers arrested three people in Rock Ferry on Tuesday afternoon, 24 January, when they sighted two men in a suspected drugs transaction in Rock Lane East. Three people were detained and drugs, cash, a knuckle duster and other paraphernalia were found following a search of a nearby location. A 16-year-old boy from Rock Ferry was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply Class A drugs. He was released under investigation. A 36-year-old woman from Rock Ferry was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply Class A and Class B drugs. She was released pending further enquiries. A 15-year-old boy from Higher Bebington was arrested on suspicion of obstructing police and criminal damage to a police vehicle, after attempting to obstruct officers in the search, resisting arrest and reportedly spitting inside a police vehicle. He has been released under investigation. 
• On Tuesday 24 January, officers were on patrol on Borough Road, Tranmere when they noticed a man in a Ford Focus car acting suspiciously. Following a stop and search of the vehicle, officers found a small amount of suspected amphetamine, a burner phone and money. A further search was carried out an address in Bromborough and a large quantity of suspected amphetamine was found in the fridge. A search was carried out an address in Bromborough and a large quantity of suspected amphetamine was found in the fridge. Officers also discovered bags of white powder, cannabis and numerous individual wraps of amphetamine. A 63-year-old man from Bromborough was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply a controlled Class B drug – amphetamine. He has been released under investigation pending further enquiries.
• A letter has been sent to the licensee of a pub in Rock Ferry about a breach of licensing conditions where the CCTV cameras were not working adequately, reports of underage drinking and not adhering to a zero tolerance drugs policy.
• Two men aged 41 and 57 years, and a 48-year-old woman were arrested in Birkenhead Park on January 24 on suspicion of possession with intent to supply a controlled Class A drug. They have been released under investigation.
• On Friday 27 January a warrant was executed at an address on the Beechwood Estate and a quantity of suspected cocaine and cannabis was recovered. A 49-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply Class A and B drugs.
• On Saturday 28 January, two males aged 16 and 19 years were arrested at an address in Rock Ferry on suspicion of possession with intent to supply Class A drugs after a quantity of suspected heroin and cocaine was seized by officers. The 19-year-old has been released on bail and the 16-year-old has been released on police conditional bail pending forensic investigation. A third suspect was found to be wanted by police on a no-bail warrant and has been recalled to prison.
• On Sunday 29 January a 55-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of production of cannabis, possession of a controlled Class B drug and abstract electricity after a cannabis farm was discovered an address in New Brighton. He has been released under investigation.
• On Monday 30 January, Wirral drug dealer Kurtis Bolton, 26 years, of Collin Road, Bidston, was sentenced to nine years and eight months for conspiracy to supply Class A drugs (cocaine) and conspiracy to convert criminal property namely cash at Liverpool Crown Court. He used the alias ‘ladbrookes’ on Encrochat for his role in supplying drugs.
• At around 2pm on Monday 30th January, a Renault car was stop searched on Prenton Way and a man was found to be in possession of a quantity of suspected cocaine. More drugs were recovered after a search of a property. A 38-year-old man from Woodchurch was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply Class A drugs. He has been released on bail.
• Three people were arrested following a warrant at an address in Oxton on Monday 30th January. A search of the property was carried out and a number of wraps of white powder was found along with cash and a mobile phone. Two men aged 42 and 53 years, and a 50-year-old woman were arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply Class A drugs. All three suspects have been released on bail.

If you have any information about suspected drug dealing in your community, contact us @MerPolCC or anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Always call 999 if a crime is in progress.