Ongoing police disruption targeting criminals in Knowsley

A total of 59 arrests and 172 stop searches have taken place across Knowsley over the last seven days following an ongoing proactive policing operation to target criminals and the harm they cause.

Multiple warrants have been executed across Huyton, Kirkby and Stockbridge Village as well as searches of addresses in Prescot and Halewood, resulting in the seizure of class A and B drugs, cash, criminal property, scrambler bikes and weapons including a realistic looking imitation firearm.

Multi-agency walkabouts in Stockbridge Village and Kirkby have also taken place to support residents and encourage people to tell us what is happening in the community, so that we can take action.   

Notable arrests and charges include:

Officers were called to an address in Kirkby following a report of an assault on Sunday 4 February and a man was arrested on suspicion of assault offences. David Hughes, 34 years, of Kirkby, has been charged with breaching a protection order, assault by beating, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and intentional strangulation. He will appear at Liverpool Crown Court on Wednesday 6 March.

On Monday 5 February a report was received that a man had gained entry into an address in Kirkby and took a number of items including a television. A 36-year-old man from Anfield was arrested on suspicion of aggravated burglary and threats to kill. He has been released on police bail pending further enquiries.

On Monday 5 February a man was stop searched on Didsbury Close and was found with 60 white bags and 90 brown bags of suspected Class A drugs, heroin and crack cocaine. A 52-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply Class A drugs. He has been released under investigation.

On Wednesday 7 February officers spotted a black BMW driving at speed along Warwick Road which then stopped on Longview Drive and the driver made off on foot. A 42-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of drug driving, driving while disqualified, driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence and driving without insurance. He has been released under investigation.

Knowsley Superintendent, Karl Baldwin, said: “My message to those that commit crime and seek to hurt our community is simple. We will not tolerate it and we will do everything within our power to catch you”.

“The high visibility police presence in Kirkby, and across the whole of Knowsley, is to provide reassurance, as well as disrupt criminality and protect those living in the area.

“These latest arrests illustrate our relentless determination to proactively tackle crime and keep our streets safe. This supports the work we do every day of the year to tackle those who offend in our communities.

“Stop checks, warrants, land searches and arrests take place all year round across Merseyside, often in those areas the public tell us there are issues and we act on the information received.

“We must never forget the harm that criminals cause across our community, too often putting innocent people in harm’s way. Help us keep the streets safe. Tell us what you know about criminals in your area. We’ll do the rest.”

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.

Alternatively talk in confidence to Knowsley Council’s Crime and Communities Team by emailing [email protected]