Police have been inspecting pubs and stopping cars in Wirral to target criminals following the murder of Elle Edwards.
Merseyside Police officers working in Wirral have made over 20 arrests during the weekend and Bank Holiday Monday in a bid to target criminals and protect people living in the area. A total of 56 stop searches were conducted and six vehicles were also seized over the three days weekend.
One incident saw two teenage boys arrested on suspicion of taking a vehicle without consent on Upton Meadow Road at around 6pm on Monday, January 2. Both suspects remain in custody. Two men from Liverpool were also charged following a burglary at a shop in New Brighton.
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Stephen Blackmore, 32, of St Anne Street, Liverpool and Darren Fleming, 41, of Ranelagh Place, Liverpool were charged with burglary after two men were found on the premises in New Brighton. They were remanded into custody on Monday, January 2.
A 40-year-old man from Birkenhead was arrested on suspicion of drug driving after he was stopped by officers on Grange Road West on January 3. He has now been released under investigation. A Wirral man, Jake Drake, 29, of Galtres Court, was also charged with dangerous driving following an incident on Hoole Road in Wirral.
He was remanded into custody on Tuesday, January 3, and will appear on Tuesday, January 24 at Wirral Magistrates Court. An 18-year-old man from Beechwood and a 31-year-old man from Egremont were arrested on suspicion of drug offences following stop checks on Farmfield Drive and Merlin Road early this morning (January 3).
Both suspects remain in custody.
Chief Inspector Tom Welch of Wirral Community Policing said: “These arrests and charges are part of our ongoing police operation to target criminals involved in serious and organised crime in Wirral. Our recent progress in the new year to disrupt those involved in serious organised crime and drug offences on the Wirral not only sees enforcement activity such as open land searches, warrants, arrests and stop searches continue but also sees more officers speaking with residents and providing extra patrols to pubs and businesses in the area.
“We hope this type of intervention will prevent any further crimes in the area following the cold-blooded murder of Elle Edwards on Christmas Eve and reiterates that violence and intimidation has no place in our communities. If you have any concerns about anti-social behaviour or criminality in your area please contact Merseyside Police or speak with our officers who are out on patrol in Wirral or inspecting the various licensed premises so we can take action.”
Anyone who has information about drug dealing in the community, where weapons are being stored or who is using them can contact us by sending a DM to @MerPolCC, calling 101 or contacting Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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