Male arrested after officers on patrol in Tranmere spot knife

A teenager was arrested and a knife seized after officers spotted a male wearing a balaclava in the street in Tranmere.
 
Officers on patrol in an unmarked police car approached the suspect at around 9pm on Monday 2 December, and spotted the handle of a knife in his waistband.
 
The male made off into a nearby house and an officer followed him into the property where the suspect drew the knife from his waistband.
 
He was disarmed by the officer in the kitchen and detained.
 
A 15-year-old male from Tranmere was arrested on suspicion of possession of a bladed article in a public place. He was taken into custody to be interviewed and has been released under investigation.
 
Detective Chief Inspector Pete Stephenson said: “We carry out prevention and enforcement work all year round to combat knife crime and protect our communities through targeted patrols such as the one these officers were engaged in in Tranmere.
 
“Thanks largely to our communities telling us who is carrying knives and where, we are able to build up intelligence and conduct proactive activity like this exactly where it is needed.
 
“We also carry out test purchase operations, instal knife arches, execute search warrants and engage a full range of police powers such as Serious Violence Reduction Orders (SVROs) all year round.
 
“Last month - through the #kNOwKNifeCrime campaign - free KnifeSavers bleed control kits, alongside innovative digital training, was provided to every secondary school across the Liverpool City Region. The Force’s Safer Schools Team supported that work, which also educated young people about the dangers of weapons.
 
“Our enforcement work on the streets is backed by prevention, working with the likes of the Violence Reduction Partnership and community organisations and in November we engaged with more than 3,000 young people in a new knife crime project aimed at early intervention and education.
 
“I ask that the public continue to support us and tell us who is carrying, using, or storing knives or weapons. Please come forward so we can continue to disrupt offenders and bring them to justice.”
 
If you have information about someone carrying a knife, or know someone involved in crime, you can report any concerns on 999 if a crime is in progress, via 101, or our social media desk via Twitter @MerPolCC.
 
You can also pass information via Crimestoppers anonymously, on 0800 555 111 or via their online form at: https://crimestoppers-uk.org.