Section 60 orders in Seacombe and Birkenhead after stabbing

We are introducing two Section 60 Orders in Wirral this evening, Thursday 11 January, following reports of a stabbing in Seacombe.

At around 10.20pm yesterday (Wednesday 10 January), it was reported that a man aged in his 20s had been attacked by a group of four to five males armed with a machete on Oakdale Avenue.

The victim self-presented at hospital after sustaining several stab and slash wounds. He remains in hospital in a serious but stable condition. The suspects, who were wearing balaclavas, left the area in a suspected stolen Ford Kuga and the vehicle was found abandoned by officers on Hartnup Way.

The Section 60 Orders run from 7pm today until 7pm tomorrow, Friday 12 January, and extra officers will be in the area to provide a visible presence to reassure communities.

The first Section 60 Order (see above map) covers the Seacombe and Poulton area bounded in the map and includes Borough Road; Church Road; Birkenhead Road; Dock Road; Geneva Road; Lyncroft Road; Hillcroft Road and Poulton Road.

The second Section 60 (see map below) covers the Beechwood Estate and the North End of Birkenhead, bounded by the M53; Hoylake Road; Beaufort Road; Upton Road; Park Road North and Fender Lane.

The Orders, under S60 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, give officers enhanced stop and search powers to stop individuals in the areas (pictured) and is designed to minimise serious violence.

Inspector Sharon Robinson said: “We’re introducing these Section 60 Orders to provide us with the powers needed to stop and search people in the area following the stabbing on Oakdale Avenue in Seacombe on Wednesday night, as well as other assaults.

“This Order is one of a number of measures being taken to disrupt those who are prepared to use any type of weapon in our communities.

“Extra officers will be in the areas covered by the orders to search any individuals or groups causing such issues, and to provide reassurance to law-abiding people who make up the overwhelming majority of people living there.

“We do not take this action to bother people going about their daily business or to prevent people from meeting with friends. 

“Quite the opposite. We do it to reduce incidents like this so that people can feel able to go about their business free from the threat of becoming a victim or witness to this violence.

“Patrols have also been stepped up to reassure our residents so if you have any information on any offences in the area please speak with our officers.”

Merseyside Police is working closely with partners on the Home Office-backed Clear, Hold, Build strategy, known locally as EVOLVE, which has been introduced in areas blighted by organised crime to remove criminal gangs, prevent new ones moving into the void and then build the resilience of local communities against criminal activity.

EVOLVE Wirral was introduced following the murder of 26-year-old Elle Edwards on Christmas Eve in 2022, launching to the community with the Build phase in May 2023. The Beechwood is one of three areas in Wirral that are part of Operation Evolve’s strategy.

You can pass any information on the stabbing in Seacombe by calling 101, via our social media desk @MerPolCC on Twitter or 'Merseyside Police Contact Centre' on Facebook with reference number 24000051538

You can also contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. Always call 999 if a crime is in progress.