37 arrests following two-day County Lines operation across Wirral and Liverpool

This week, a two-day operation took place across Wirral and Liverpool, to detect and disrupt criminal activity, and safeguard those being exploited. 

The County Lines Taskforce deployed across parts of Wirral and Liverpool on Tuesday 4 and Wednesday 5 March alongside local policing teams and Outreach Workers from Catch 22 and Change, Grow, Live, to ensure a joined-up approach to dismantle county lines networks.

The operation resulted in 37 arrests, 103 stop searches and Class A and B drugs seized. Investigations are ongoing in relation to the arrests made.

The arrests were for a range of offences including possession with intent to supply Class A drugs, possession of a controlled Class B drug, being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs and theft of a motor vehicle.

As well as arrests, 24 vulnerable children and adults were engaged with and referred to safeguarding services.

This was supported by Outreach Workers from Change, Grow, Live (CGL) and Catch 22’s Support and Rescue Service, to ensure that the right help could be accessed quickly and effectively.

Significant intelligence reports were also gathered which will be used to prevent future crime and protect vulnerable people in our communities.

Merseyside Police has a zero-tolerance approach against those profiteering from the exploitation of children and the vulnerable.

Project Medusa was introduced in 2019 to tackle county lines drug dealing and the criminal exploitation of young people and vulnerable adults.

The team provide the daily force response to county lines in Merseyside, using covert and overt tactics to intercept weapons, drugs, and illicit cash, and identify vulnerable individuals exploited by county lines gangs.

Project Medusa Inspector Stephen Morris said: “County Lines causes misery for our communities, so it is right that we continue to put significant effort into identifying and arresting those involved.

“This two-day operation across Wirral and Liverpool is just a snapshot of the work we do all year round. We regularly act on the information provided to us by the public, so please keep it coming so we can continue to arrest county lines offenders who are exploiting our communities.”

Merseyside Police recently launched Eyes Open, a campaign to raise awareness about the growing issue of child criminal exploitation and county lines.

Young people, parents and carers are encouraged to keep their #EyesOpen to spot the signs of child criminal exploitation and to report any concerns or incidents they witness.

You can report any concerns to police on 999 if a crime is in progress, via 101, or our social media desk via X @MerPolCC.

Young people can contact Crimestoppers via Fearless to access non-judgemental information and advice - https://crimestoppers-uk.org/fearless.