user-generated Headlines and reports on this page = 3 news items.    Page - 7.

Merseyside Police 'Anti Knife Crime Operation' is a success

MERSEYSIDE Police has hailed the success of a proactive campaign which aimed to address the issue of knife crime and the ongoing work being done to combat it.

The Force was 1 of a number forces across the UK that took part in a week long operation during the 1st week of May 2017.

As part of the week Officers carried out high visibility patrols in key areas and offered safety, crime reduction and reassurance messages as part of its ongoing work to address the issue of knife crime.

Officers used a variety of tactics in identified hotspot locations across Merseyside, including using knife wands and knife arches, as well as visiting licensed premises, visiting Schools and carrying out knife sweeps and test purchases.

A number of weapons, including:- 24 knives were seized; and a total of 62 arrests were made for a variety of offences including possession of a bladed article.

In Sefton Officers carried out knife sweeps around North Park and South Park. A Police and Community Support Officer (PCSO) recovered a kitchen knife from New Fort Way in Bootle, hidden in bushes, and in separate incidents 1 person was arrested on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon and 3 were arrested on suspicion of possession of a bladed article.

In Liverpool 2 people were arrested, including:- 1 on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon, along with 2 knives were seized. Open land searches were also carried out around Alt Park, in Croxteth, the loopline around:- Broadway Walton Park, Admiral Street Park, Princes Park and wasteground in Dingle.

5 Primary Schools were visited; test purchases were carried out at 12 premises and 7 retailers were issued with responsible retailer contracts.

In St Helens Mounted Police Officers visited the Town Centre on 4 occasions to offer reassurance to the public and high visibility Police patrols and knife wands were used at the local train and bus depots.

4 Primary Schools were visited and knife awareness literature distributed and test purchases were carried out at 7 premises.

In total 11 knives were seized. There were 9 arrests for suspicion of possessing a bladed article, 1 arrest on suspicion of possessing a prohibited weapon and 1 arrest on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon.

In Knowsley 1 knife was seized and 1 person was arrested on suspicion of possessing a bladed article. Officers carried out high visibility patrols in local parks and 21 'walk throughs' at public houses. 29 test purchases were conducted by Police cadets and 12 stores signed up to a responsible retailer agreement.

In Wirral nine knives were seized and 7 people were arrested, including:- 3 people for possession of a bladed article.

Hive Youth Zone in Birkenhead ran a rolling programme regarding knives and their consequences and there were information stalls in the Pyramids shopping centre and New Ferry precinct. A number of Schools were also spoken to.

Chief Inspector Keith McLachlan said:- "he purpose of the week was not as a knee jerk reaction to any individual incident, but to demonstrate the ongoing work that Merseyside Police does on a day to day basis to combat knife crime. We want the public to feel reassured that the Force is committed to reducing violent crime and making sure that our streets remain safe. We are grateful for the support of the community and our partners in carrying out this work and we will continue to work towards removing knives and dangerous weapons from our streets and bringing those responsible for carrying; and using; them to justice. Knives are dangerous and there is no place for them on the streets of Merseyside. Using a knife can have devastating consequences not only for the victim and their family but also the offender. I would urge people to educate themselves, speak to their children and family members and prevent the repeat of any tragedies. We will act on all information reported to us around knife crime. Anyone with information can call Police on:- 101 or the Crimestoppers line anonymously on:- 0800 555 111. Information and advice about knife crime is also available online."