A total of 66 people have been arrested
Merseyside Police's Operation Vanguard in Anfield, Liverpool, March 4
Merseyside Police's Operation Vanguard in Anfield, Liverpool, March 4 (Image: merseyside police)
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Eight people have been charged after raids in Anfield. Around 300 officers descended on the area as they conducted more than 30 warrants across addresses believed to be linked to criminal activity in the area.
Before the sun rose on Wednesday, March 4, 230 officers gathered at Merseyside Police Headquarters on Cazneau Street shortly after 5am where they prepared for a morning of breaking down doors. They were briefed at 6am before they rolled out in a large convoy through north Liverpool to several addresses where they executed 36 warrants in the hunt for 46 named suspects.
At 7am, doors across Anfield went in, with several going through in the Stanley Road area where a cannabis farm was discovered.
The raids across north Liverpool were part of Operation Vanguard which saw a swathe of officers lock down the area and flush out criminality as forceful warrants were carried out.
Around 160 vehicles were stopped at three roadside checkpoints, with three arrested on suspicion of drug driving and driving while disqualified, four vehicles seized and 20 traffic offence reports made.
Police vehicles at Merseyside Police headquarters, Liverpool, before they set off in convoy to take part in early morning raids across the Anfield area(Image: PA)
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Officers also seized an imitation firearm, drugs, thousands of pounds in cash, a Sur-ron, Rolex and Tag Heuer watches, counterfeit cash, three machetes and designer clothing during searches at the addresses and enquiries continue.
In an update today, Thursday, March 5, the force confirmed eight people have now been charged.
Josh Parker, 21, of Abbey Road, Anfield was charged with two offences of being concerned in the supply of class A drugs (heroin and crack cocaine) and two offences of possession with intent to supply class A drugs (heroin and crack cocaine).
Francis Lowe, 27, of Breckside Park, Anfield, was charged with conspiracy to supply class A and B drugs (cocaine and cannabis) and conspiracy to handle stolen goods and possession of counterfeit currency.
Grace Gibson, 22, of Gwendoline Street, Toxteth was charged with two offences of being concerned in the supply of class A drugs (heroin and crack cocaine) and being concerned in the supply of class B drugs.
Lewis Carr, 25, of Gwendoline Street, Toxteth was charged with two offences of being concerned in the supply of class A drugs (crack cocaine) and being concerned in the supply of class B drugs (cannabis).
(Image: merseyside police)
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Carla Tobin, 55, of Graylands Road, Anfield was charged with driving while disqualified.
Alan Speed, 56, of Gloucester Road, Tuebrook was charged with theft from a shop.
Angela Boreman, 57, of Romley Street, Anfield was charged with theft from a shop.
David McCouid, 41, of no fixed address was charged with shop theft and assault.
Chief Constable Rob Carden said: “The huge scale and impact of yesterday’s operation should have left criminals in absolutely no doubt – Merseyside Police has a complete contempt for criminality and if you are involved we will turn up at your door, we will stop you in your car, and we will arrest you.
“Those detained during the operation are suspected of committing crimes that cause a huge amount of pain and suffering to people in our communities.
“Sex offences, domestic abuse and assaults cause serious physical and lasting emotional harm to victims. Weapons and those prepared to carry and use them bring fear to our streets, and criminals involved in supplying drugs ruin the lives of vulnerable people. They think nothing of threatening and intimidating people in our communities to continue their illicit trade, and yesterday’s action was all about reminding offenders that they are simply not welcome here.
Several pairs of trainers were seized
Several pairs of trainers were seized(Image: Merseyside Police)
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“People who get behind the wheel of a car high on drugs risk the safety of all other road users as well as themselves. And if anyone thinks they can profit from criminality, they can think again, because we will take any cash, clothes, jewellery and watches we suspect have been paid for with ill-gotten gains. Crime most definitely does not pay.
“Operation Vanguard should also send a strong message to law-abiding residents in Anfield and across Merseyside that we are on your side and we will deploy all the officers and the tools at our disposal to make your streets safer.
“As well as enforcement activity, we were backed by our partners throughout the day with the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit, British Transport Police, Liverpool Council and others. Together we are determined to do what we can to keep the people of Merseyside safe, to safeguard vulnerable people and put offenders before the courts.”
Chief Constable Carden added: “Our officers and partners received many messages of support as they undertook this operation and the response from the public on the ground has been hugely encouraging.
“People in Merseyside can expect to see a series of more focussed operations in the near future, as well as more Operation Vanguards elsewhere in Merseyside. Our work to bring criminals to justice and protect our communities continues 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
“My ask of the public is that you continue to support our efforts by telling us where offenders are operating – you might have a neighbour experiencing domestic abuse, you might have seen people acting suspiciously and potentially linked to burglary, or you could have heard that someone is storing drugs or weapons.
“Whatever it is, we want to know so tell us what you know and we will do the rest.”
Liverpool City Council’s Cabinet Member for Safer Stronger Communities, Cllr Laura Robertson-Collins, said: “People should be able to feel safe in their communities and we very much welcome this targeted action to take criminals off the streets.
“Our strong partnership with Merseyside Police through projects such as EVOLVE are making a real difference through the sharing of intelligence, supporting victims and securing convictions to drive down crime rates.”
If you have any information which could help us to prevent criminality in your area, let us know so that we can take action and ensure our communities can enjoy their local areas safely.
If you have any information please call 101 or contact police on social media @MerPolCC. You can also report information via the police website: https://www.merseyside.police.uk/ro/report/ocr/af/how-to-report-a-crime/
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.