Update following Operation Vermont in Wirral

During our day of action in Wirral on Wednesday 8 February as part of Operation Vermont, we arrested 18 people for a variety of offences as we continue our efforts to reassure the public on community issues and proactively target criminals.

As well as the arrests, we also carried out 37 stop searches, open land searches, executed three warrants, searched three properties, seized quantities of Class A and B drugs and seized three vehicles.

The activity follows serious incidents of organised crime in areas including Wallasey, Beechwood and Woodchurch.

The following is a summary of some of the positive results and actions we carried out during the day:

• Through work with Mersey Tunnels Police, officers stopped a vehicle a recovered a bag of cannabis.  A subsequent search at the home of one of the people in the vehicle led to the discovery of a machete. An 18-year-old man from Birkenhead was arrested on suspicion of possession of a controlled Class B drug and was later released under investigation.

• Officers also took part in Operation Rusty at Twelve Quays Ferry Terminal, where they worked in partnership with agencies. In total, 66 vehicles arrived from Belfast and all drivers and occupants were spoken with by police and partner agencies. As officers left Twelve Quays, they saw a man acting suspiciously. Following checks, a 23-year-old from Ellesmere Port was arrested and recalled to prison.

• In another area of Wirral, officers in Birkenhead were able to recover a recently stolen motorbike and return it to its owner.

• Officers carried out a warrant at an address on Cannon Hill, Claughton in an effort to disrupt drugs supply in the area. A 44-year-old man from Claughton was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of a Class A drug. He has been released under investigation.

• After officers saw a man involved in a suspected drugs transaction on Adelaide Road, Birkenhead, we arrested a man on suspicion of drugs offences. Scott McLoughlin, 29, of Woodchurch Road, Oxton, has been charged with possession with intent to supply Class A drugs (heroin and cocaine) and Class B drug (cannabis). He has been remanded in custody to appear at Liverpool Crown Court on Friday 3 March.

Superintendent Matthew Moscrop said: “We are continuing to take a firm approach to tackling criminality in Wirral. Our officers made a number of arrests last Wednesday as part of Operation Vermont, which has prevented drugs supply, violence, dangerous driving and taken weapons off the streets of Wirral.

“Serious and organised crime has no place in our communities and our officers will continue to disrupt these groups.

“Our officers patrol Wirral 365 days a year in order to keep people safe and will bring anyone who brings fear and intimidation to our streets to justice.

“We have a range of tools at our disposal in order to disrupt offenders, including stop searches, dispersal zones, warrants and land searches.

“We target patrols according to intelligence we receive, so if you witness any anti-social or threatening behaviour in your area, please let us know and we will take action.”

Anyone who has information about drug dealing in the community, 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.