Investment helps tackle anti-social behaviour and violence hotspots in Merseyside

Merseyside Police has invested thousands of pounds to reduce street violence and anti-social behaviour (ASB) in ‘hotspot’ areas in the last year.

ASB can make victims’ lives a nightmare, causing stress, worry and despair. It can often be a precursor to serious crimes such as knife crime and gang activity.

Merseyside Police is committed to tackling ASB and is spotlighting the issue during Anti-Social Behaviour Awareness Week (3 – 9 July).

Over the last 12 months, more than £300,000 has been invested on initiatives such as improving street lighting, extra CCTV, knife wands and youth prevention programmes across twelve ‘hotspot’ locations in Merseyside.

Hotspot areas are where incidents of serious violence are highest. The tactic involves operating high-visibility police patrols in specific areas where there is a risk of serious violence, to help keep communities safer.

For the year ahead, more than £500,000 will be allocated to tackle serious violence and issues related to ASB.

Working under the banner of Operation Target, neighbourhood officers identify issues that matter most to communities and work with them to solve them.

Operation Target is Merseyside’s force wide operation to tackle serious and violent crime. The Serious Violence Prevention Fund is used to provide resources for tackling violence and long-term problem solving for violence prevention.

Hotspot areas across Merseyside receive a combination of expert support, funding for specific location problem-solving and additional patrols.

In Liverpool, this tactic resulted in a 38% drop in serious violent crime, when compared to the same period in 2021-22. Hotspot operations in Wirral, St Helens and Sefton led to a 22% drop in serious violent crime, when compared to the same period in 2021-22.

One example of how this funding is being used is a diversionary programme with Everton Free School (EFS) and Everton in the Community, funded by Merseyside Police.

Young people from EFS often come from challenging backgrounds and have been excluded from mainstream school – putting them at risk of criminal exploitation by gangs.

Residents and local businesses reported ASB issues around Spellow Lane and County Road. To help tackle this, Merseyside Police funded an early intervention programme twice a week, during mornings and afterschool.

The sessions, delivered to girls and boys aged 11-18, included gardening, a breakfast club and explored issues such as knife crime, county lines, sexual health and drug and alcohol awareness.

The funding has had a positive impact on the local community and played a part in both reducing ASB, youth violence and improving young people’s perception of the police.

One local shop keeper on County Road said he noticed “less trouble” during the times the sessions ran.

A student who took part said: “Since being involved, my opinion of police and law authorities has changed drastically. I went from hating the police and thinking the worst to realising they don’t all want to lock you up, they want to make a change in our community.”

 

Sue Gregory, CEO of Everton in the Community said: “This important funding enables us to support hard-to-reach young people and engage them in positive and educational activities whilst steering them away from potentially being criminally exploited or led into potential paths of serious crime.

“We pride ourselves on our strong working relationship with Merseyside Police and through working together in these targeted hot spots, we have been able to significantly reduce crime and anti-social behaviour across the Liverpool City Region whilst inspiring our young people to a brighter future.”

Inspector Laura Leach, Merseyside’s Deputy Lead for Serious Violence and Knife Crime said: “We know anti-social behaviour can have a devastating impact on people’s lives and local businesses. Tackling serious violence and anti-social behaviour (ASB) is a key priority for Merseyside Police.

“ASB such as drug misuse, vandalism and intimidation often leads to more serious violence, and young people can easily be drawn into ASB and crime if there is no suitable intervention or diversionary programmes in place.

“This funding allows us to work with partners on diversionary programmes and put in place practical measures such as extra CCTV and improved lighting, to make our communities safer.”