A huge police convoy tore through Liverpool today as hundreds of officers launched a ‘sustained and relentless’ offensive against crime.
More than 250 officers were involved in the large-scale operation in the suburbs of Stockbridge Village and Huyton.
Operation Vanguard is targeting criminals involved in a range of offences, including drug dealing, serious violence, robbery and theft.
It follows a string of worrying incidents in the local area, including two firearms discharges, the attempted murder of a child and a fight at a house party in September that saw a man’s hand ‘cut clean off’.
A 15-year-old boy has now been convicted of the attempted murder last month and officers have made two arrests over the house party attack.
Warrants, roadside checks and searches of land and water were among the activities taking place today.
By midday, 27 people had been arrested, including on suspicion of offences such as supply of Class A and Class B drugs, sexual assault, domestic assault, theft and criminal damage.
Merseyside Police’s Chief Constable Rob Carden, who took up the post in September, warned criminals to expect a ‘knock at the door’.
‘This is one of the largest operations of this type that we have conducted in many years and demonstrates very clearly our contempt for those involved in criminality,’ he said.
‘This morning we have seen doors of suspects going in and throughout the day cars will be stopped, undergrowth and canals searched and there will have been significant numbers of officers on patrols in those areas the public tell us have been harmed by criminality.’
More than 250 police officers were involved in the large-scale operation today in the Liverpool suburbs of Stockbridge Village and Huyton
Operation Vanguard is targeting criminals involved in a range of offences, including drug dealing, serious violence, robbery and theft
Police said cocaine, cannabis, e-bikes and watches had been seized as part of the operation.
Leader of Knowsley Council, Graham Morgan, said: ‘We know from speaking to our residents that feeling safe in their homes and communities is a huge priority for them.
‘We know how much it matters to people that’s why we are so committed to working with our police colleagues to bring to justice those who disrupt the lives of our residents.
‘The message is clear from Knowsley – if you break the law, there will be consequences.’
Last month saw a win for local police as one of the brothers behind the notorious Huyton Firm was finally jailed for 18 years.
Francis Coggins had managed to evade the authorities for five years before he was arrested by Dutch police for being drunk and disorderly.
The 60-year-old had been living in the coastal town of Zandvoort, where he bought cocaine and heroin before shipping it to the UK via the UPS network.
He remained at large after his younger brother Vincent, 59 – who focused on the gang’s UK operations – was arrested and jailed in 2020.
Last month saw a win for local police as Francis Coggins – one of the brothers behind the notorious Huyton Firm – was finally jailed for 18 years
Liverpool Crown Court heard that Francis Coggins was arrested by beat officers from the Dutch National Police.
He was found ‘collapsed’ in the street outside a residential property.
Coggins made his first appearance at a court in Amsterdam to begin the process of extradition to the UK on June 4.
He was returned in late August after consenting to extradition and in September pleaded guilty to a series of drugs charges, including conspiracy to import and supply cocaine.
Coggins sent drugs from mainland Europe to North Wales by putting them into parcels with UPS waybills attached.
The packages were sent using genuine account numbers, predominately for unsuspecting clothing company G-Star Raw, with the waybill stating that the receiver would pay the costs of shipping.
If you have any information, call 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.