Merseyside woman charged with SVRO breach

A Merseyside woman has been charged with breaching the terms of her Serious Violence Reduction Order (SVRO).

Vivian Holland, aged 50, of no fixed address, was served with an SVRO by Sefton Magistrates Court on Wednesday 7 June, after she was found guilty of three counts of possessing a knife blade in a public place.

She was sentenced to 17 weeks' imprisonment, suspended for 12 months, 30 days of Rehabilitation Activity Requirement and issued an SVRO with a duration of 18 months.

One of the conditions of an SVRO is that the offender must provide the following information to the police within three days: their name, or names; their home address which includes their sole or main residence or where they can be regularly found if they have no such residence.

Holland failed to comply with this condition and was remanded in to custody. She will appear at Sefton Magistrates Court today (Tuesday 13 June).

Superintendent Phil Mullally, Merseyside’s Lead for Serious Violence and Knife Crime said: “Following the two Serious Violence Reduction Orders secured last week, we are continuing to use and monitor these additional powers to keep high-risk offenders off the streets of Merseyside.

“We hope this serves as a clear warning to others that any breaches to an SVRO will be acted on and dealt with robustly.”

The force is the first of four pilot forces to secure an SVRO. Courts can grant an SVRO when an adult aged 18 or over is convicted of an offence involving a bladed article or offensive weapon.  

The change in legislation means officers now have the automatic right to search individuals for bladed articles, or offensive weapons in a public place.   

This targeted use of stop and search aims to tackle high-risk offenders, known weapons carriers and help drive down reoffending to keep communities safe.  

If you have information about someone carrying a knife, or know someone involved in crime, get in touch on social media @MerPolCC, call 101 or contact @CrimestoppersUK anonymously on 0800 555 111.