Operation Staysafe rolls out in Liverpool to tackle youth exploitation and antisocial behaviour

Last week, officers in Liverpool joined forces with partner agencies as part of a pilot of Operation Staysafe, an initiative aimed at tackling antisocial behaviour (ASB) and protecting vulnerable children and young people from exploitation.

This was the first operation of its kind in the city centre, uniting agencies from Liverpool and surrounding boroughs to quickly identify young individuals involved in ASB. This led to immediate contact with their parents or carers, who were asked to collect them from the designated safe space.

Officers from the City Centre Neighbourhood Policing Team were supported by colleagues from across Neighbourhood Policing, the Missing Persons Unit, the Child Criminal and Sexual Exploitation Team (CCSET), the Council’s Neighbourhood Manager and a range of partner agencies including Liverpool City Council, Safer Stronger Communities, Children’s Social Services, and detached youth workers from Catch22.

Together, they carried out a targeted operation focused on safeguarding young people and addressing ASB in key areas of Liverpool City Centre.

Throughout the evening on Friday 6 June 2025, officers and partners patrolled known ASB hotspots, identifying young people who may be at risk of becoming involved in crime or exploitation.

Officers and staff engaged with more than 100 young people at various locations including Whitechapel, Paradise Street, Church Street, Williamson Square, Queens Square Bus Station, and Chavasse Park.

The operation also included visits to local businesses to raise awareness of the signs of exploitation and to offer reassurance in response to concerns around antisocial behaviour. Officers reported positive engagement with both young people and business owners, with encouraging feedback received from the community.

A number of children were identified by officers as being at significant risk and were taken to a designated safe space, where professionals from partner agencies were on hand to offer immediate support, advice, and guidance to the young people.

Operation Staysafe brought together multiple teams within Merseyside Police and a wide range of external partners in a coordinated day of action, with each agency playing a vital role in identifying at-risk individuals, providing safeguarding, and signposting to support services.

Jack Woodward, Liverpool City Centre Neighbourhood Inspector said: “We understand that antisocial behaviour is a real and ongoing concern for many communities. It can have a significant impact on people’s sense of safety and wellbeing, particularly in busy public spaces such as the city centre.

“That’s why tackling ASB remains a key priority for Merseyside Police and our partners. Through initiatives like Operation Staysafe, we are working hard to respond to these concerns, not only through enforcement, but by engaging with young people, supporting those at risk, and building stronger, safer communities.

“This operation highlights the strong partnerships we’ve built with other agencies and our shared commitment to tackling this issue. Together, we’re working to safeguard some of our most vulnerable young people and, where appropriate, take positive action against those who seek to exploit them.

“We also rely on the public to be our eyes and ears, reporting antisocial behaviour and sharing information with us is vital in helping us take action and keep our communities safe.”

Jill Summers, Liverpool City Council’s Head of Safer and Stronger Communities, said: “This operation was a great example of teamwork between the Council, Merseyside Police and other key partners to tackle a recent spate of anti-social behaviour.

“Fortunately, the intelligence gathered enabled the teams to swiftly identify the culprits involved and take the necessary steps. It’s worth stressing our city centre remains one of the safest in the UK and welcomes hundreds of thousands of people every week, the overwhelming majority of whom have a fun and safe time. We won’t tolerate a mindless minority trying to ruin that experience and we’ll continue to be vigilant in monitoring any such behaviour.”

Operation Staysafe will continue throughout the year, and members of the public can expect to see officers and partner agencies on patrol in key areas, working together to safeguard young people, address antisocial behaviour, and provide visible reassurance to the community.

To find out more about how Merseyside Police is tackling antisocial behaviour and how you can report concerns in your area, visit our dedicated ASB campaign page: Antisocial behaviour (ASB) | Merseyside Police