Merseyside Police award over £200,000 to community projects across Liverpool

Merseyside Police have announced the launch of a series of community-led initiatives funded through the Hotspot Action Fund.

More than £200,000 has been awarded to organisations working in key neighbourhoods to prevent and reduce serious violence and antisocial behaviour (ASB).

This investment supports the force’s Hotspot Policing initiative, which will see officers carry out 21,000 hours of high-visibility patrols across 29 hotspot areas this financial year, aligning with the Government’s Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee to deliver visible, responsive policing and tackle issues such as antisocial behaviour and town centre crime.

These locations – identified using local crime data – account for 27% of serious violence, 25% of knife crime, and 17% of ASB incidents over the past three years.

Superintendent Phil Mullally, lead for serious violence and knife crime, said:

“We know that enforcement alone isn’t enough to tackle the root causes of violence and antisocial behaviour.

“That’s why we’re investing in prevention, working with trusted community partners to engage young people, support families, and create safer spaces. These projects are a vital part of our strategy to reduce harm and build stronger, more resilient communities.”

The funding will support a wide range of initiatives, including:

Youth outreach and engagement in hotspot areas such as Garston, Kirkby, and St Helens, where youth workers are building trusted relationships with at-risk young people and delivering targeted interventions.
Nature-based programmes in Wirral, offering forest school and outdoor learning to children.
Detached youth work and mobile outreach, including the deployment of a fully equipped Youth Bus in Wirral, bringing safe spaces and positive activities directly into communities.
Creative and therapeutic activities, such as drama, dance, and boxing, to help young people express themselves, build confidence, and make healthier choices.
Mental health and resilience programmes, supporting vulnerable youth with emotional wellbeing, peer support, and access to specialist services.
Environmental improvements and civic pride initiatives, including bulb planting, litter picking, and community clean-ups to foster ownership and reduce ASB.
Infrastructure upgrades, such as the installation and improvement of CCTV to deter criminality.

These projects complement Merseyside Police’s enforcement efforts by addressing the underlying causes of crime and ASB. By engaging young people early, supporting families, and improving community spaces, the force and its partners aim to create long-term change.

In addition to prevention and partnership work, Merseyside Police continues to tackle crime and ASB through robust enforcement and the use of police powers. Officers are taking a strong stance against those who cause harm in our communities, with targeted operations, arrests, and disruption activity focused on offenders.

Superintendent Phil Mullally added:

“We are committed to tackling serious violence and antisocial behaviour head-on. Through a combination of high-visibility patrols, community partnerships, and firm enforcement, we are working to make our streets safer.

“These new projects will help us reach young people early, provide meaningful support, and build stronger, safer communities. We urge the public to continue reporting concerns – your voice helps us protect your community.”

Last year, more than £400,000 was invested in proven crime prevention measures within the hotspot areas. This, alongside high-visibility foot patrols, led to a 28.8% drop in serious violence (145 fewer offences), a 1.9% reduction in antisocial behaviour (44 fewer incidents), 300 arrests and 40 offensive weapons seized.