Operation Target - arrests and drugs, weapons, scrambler bikes and recovered following day of action in Bootle

A multi-agency day of action in Bootle today (Wednesday 10 July) has seen seven warrants, and the recovery of drugs, weapons and scrambler bikes as authorities in the area continue to take action following recent incidents in the community.

Working alongside Sefton Council and local housing trusts, officers have been working in areas of Bootle which have seen serious incidents of violence recently, including gun crime, arson and violence.

As a result of today's action, seven warrants were carried out and a number of arrests made, including a 34-year-old man from Litherland arrested on suspicion of theft of a motorbike, a 35-year-old woman from Bootle arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply drugs and possession of cannabis; and others voluntarily attending police stations in relation to drug and money laundering offences.

Supported by dog units and underwater search teams, we have carried out searches of the canal area and other areas including Derby Park, resulting in the seizure of knives, a baseball bat and shotgun cartridges.

Superintendent Graeme Robson, Area Commander for Sefton, explains the reasons behind today’s activity: “We know that the Bootle community have seen a lot of police activity in their area recently, both as a response to incidents, and with warrants being carried out. Today we are stepping this up, and will keep doing so when necessary, in Bootle and any areas which require action.

“We have had some great recent success, in arresting and charging those we suspect of dealing drugs, and I want to reassure everyone locally that we will continue working alongside our partners to act on all the information you provide.

“But this week isn’t all about enforcement. Tomorrow we will also be in the area with a mobile police station to speak to residents, and working with our partners to carry out repairs and cleaning. Come and speak to us, see what is going on, and we can and will make the difference to Bootle. We want these streets to be hostile to criminals and safe and welcoming to everyone else.

Cllr Trish Hardy, Sefton Council's Cabinet Member for Communities and Housing, said: “We are committed to reducing and preventing anti-social behaviour right across the borough in order to make our thriving communities even safer.

"It’s important that we work closely with our partners including Merseyside Police, to reduce crime in Sefton and welcome the operations taking place.”

Your help and information leads to such positive activity, so have the confidence to speak to us directly or if you don’t feel able to call police, come forward anonymously via Crimestoppers, a charity which is independent of police, on 0800 555 111.