Drugs arrests and PSPO breach in Liverpool city centre

Four people were arrested yesterday, Tuesday 21 April, in an ongoing operation to tackle anti-social behaviour and criminality in Liverpool city centre.

Matrix officers on patrol in the city centre conducted a number of stop searches, making arrests in connection with various offences including breaches of a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO).

The PSPO was put in place by Liverpool City Council last month to combat anti-social behaviour in the city centre which can cause distress to members of the public.

In one incident, officers identified a large group a strong smell of cannabis in Chavasse Park. One male was stop searched and a bag of cannabis and a block of cannabis resin found inside a blue plastic bag concealed in his waistband.

Following this, a search of an address was carried out and a lock knife was seized.

An 18-year-old man from Everton was arrested on suspicion of possession of a controlled Class B drug (cannabis) and breach of a PSPO where he is not able to return to the Liverpool city centre area for 24 hours. He has been released under investigation.

In other notable arrests:

• An 18-year-old man from Clubmoor was arrested in Chavasse Park on suspicion of possession of a controlled Class B drug, cannabis. He was given a community resolution order to attend a drug awareness course
• A 34-year-old a-woman was arrested on James Street on suspicion of possession of a controlled Class B drug, cannabis. She was released under investigation
• A 28-year-man from Islington was arrested on Roe Alley (off Church Street) on suspicion of possession of a controlled Class B drug, cannabis. He was given a community resolution order to attend a drug awareness course

Matrix Chief Inspector Chris Barnes said: “We continue to patrol the area so that anyone visiting the city centre can have an enjoyable experience.

“The PSPO is an effective law enforcement tool to reassure the community, as it prevents large groups of people from gathering in the city centre which can be intimidating and disruptive to the community.

“Most young people behave in a responsible manner, but sadly a minority of youths cause anti-social behaviour, which is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.

“This is a full-partnership approach and while police and partners are working together, we also need the support of parents to take responsibility to prevent it from happening in the first place.

“We would urge parents and guardians to know where your kids are and who they're with, to ensure they don't become involved in situations which could cause disruption or distress to local communities and residents.”

Always call 999 if a crime is in progress. You can pass any information on anti-social behaviour via our social media desk @MerPolCC on Twitter or 'Merseyside Police Contact Centre' on Facebook.

You can also report information via our website: https://www.merseyside.police.uk/ro/report/ocr/af/how-to-report-a-crime/ or call 101.

Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, or via their website here: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/forms/give-information-anonymously. In an emergency always call 999.