Three arrests and 120 stop searches in Knowsley during Section 60 Orders in Knowsley

We have arrested three men and conducted a total of 120 stop searches during three Section 60 orders in Knowsley this week.

The third successive order ran from 2pm on Wednesday until 5am this morning (Thursday 4 June) and gave officers additional powers to search people suspected of involvement in crime and disorder, and saw 20 more people stop checked.

Across three orders across successive nights this week, 120 people have been stop searched by officers.

The orders were introduced following the shooting on Pottery Lane, Whiston on Sunday 24 May and subsequent incidents including those involving males on Sur-ron e-bikes.

At around 4pm on Sunday 31 May, it was reported a male had been approached on Seel Road, Huyton by two males on Sur-ron e-bikes before one struck him to the head with what appeared to be a firearm and made threats. The suspects then made off in the direction of Hillcrest Avenue.

Following warrants carried out in the area, a 19-year-old man from Huyton was arrested on Tuesday 2 June on suspicion of possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence. He was taken into custody for questioning and has been conditionally bailed.

A 17-year-old male from Huyton was arrested today (Thursday 4 June) on suspicion of possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence and taken into custody.

In a separate incident, officers on patrol in Prescot at 8.45pm on Wednesday (3 June) saw a man make off from them on Dragon Lane. A Constable pursued him on foot before detaining him on the grounds of Whiston Hospital.

The man was searched under the Misuse of Drugs Act and three bags of cannabis, two SIM cards and two mobile phones were seized.

A 25-year-old man from Liverpool was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply Class B drugs (cannabis). He was taken into custody to be interviewed and has been released under investigation.

Inspector Ray Mavrakakis said: “In the past three days, we have stop searched 120 people in an area that has experienced criminality in recent weeks that simply will not be tolerated by Merseyside Police.

“We have targeted people we suspect of carrying drugs and weapons in Knowsley because of the fear and harm they can bring.

“Organised crime groups have no place in our communities and our activity this week has caused them significant disruption.

“Section 60 Orders are just one of many tools we can use to make them unwelcome in Merseyside, and 365 days a year we are undertaking warrants, stop checks, land searches and major operations targeting Organised Crime Groups.

“Residents can help us bring offenders to justice by telling us about criminals operating in their area. Any information you provide will be taken seriously and followed up on by our officers.”

Anyone with information about criminality should contact Merseyside Police social media desk using X or Facebook @MerPolCC. You can also report information via our website: https://www.merseyside.police.uk/ro/report/ocr/af/how-to-report-a-crime/ or by calling 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.