Merseyside Police overhaul to boost neighbourhood policing and frontline presence

Merseyside Police is set to roll out a major restructure aimed at improving local policing and strengthening public protection across the region.

The new model, which comes into force on Sunday 29 March, follows a wide-ranging review led by Chief Constable Rob Carden and is designed to better reflect the growing demands of modern policing.

Under the changes, the force will move to a new geographical structure built around four Basic Command Units (BCUs), covering Liverpool, Sefton, Wirral, and a combined Knowsley and St Helens area. Each will be led by a Chief Superintendent with responsibility for policing in their local area.

The restructure will see more officers on the ground, with 80 additional officers moved into response policing and 60 into neighbourhood teams, alongside the retention of 200 Police Community Support Officers. New neighbourhood hubs are also being introduced, including dedicated town centre teams in St Helens, Birkenhead and Southport.

Merseyside Police says the move will help create a more visible and responsive service, with greater local accountability and quicker decision-making at community level.

Chief Constable Rob Carden said the changes are about delivering a service that better meets the needs of local people, with a clearer structure and stronger focus on neighbourhood policing.

A new Crime Management Unit will also be introduced as part of the overhaul, aimed at improving how crimes are recorded, prioritised and investigated.

Police and Crime Commissioner Emily Spurrell described the restructure as the most significant in a decade, adding that it will help officers spend more time in communities and build stronger local relationships.

The force says there may be a short adjustment period as the new system beds in, but the long-term aim is to create a more resilient, community-focused police service across Merseyside.

Keep update with Merseyside Police via their website.

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