EVOLVE Wirral: Transforming communities and tackling crime

Earlier this month, Merseyside Police celebrated the one-year anniversary of the Home Office’s Clear, Hold, Build initiative, launched to improve communities impacted by serious and organised crime in Wirral, including the Beechwood estate.

Locally known as EVOLVE Wirral, the Build phase, which commenced on 18 May last year, aims to transform communities into safer, more prosperous areas that are resilient to gang-related activities.

In the last 12 months, officers have made 806 arrests related to organised crime groups, executed more than 60 warrants, carried out a significant number of stop searches, taken numerous weapons, including firearms, crossbows and knives, off the streets and seen considerable sentences handed to criminals.

Clear, Hold, Build is designed and partly funded by the Home Office, and sees Merseyside Police working together with partners and residents to disrupt and deter organised crime groups and help rebuild neighbourhoods into places where people would love to live, work and visit.

A high-visibility policing presence will continue this week in the Beechwood estate and community reassurance will be offered to residents as part of our ongoing efforts to tackle serious organised crime in this community.

Wirral Community Policing Inspector Sharon Robinson said:

“We know that the majority of residents in the Beechwood area are honest, law-abiding people and they deserve to be able to live in a community that is safe and not overshadowed by serious organised crime.

“Sadly, there remains a minority of people who are involved in criminal activity and they seem intent on bringing misery to this community. These people clearly have little, or no regard, for other residents and will use fear and violence in their attempts to carry out criminality.

“My message to those involved in serious organised crime is clear – Merseyside Police will never rest and we are absolutely relentless in our pursuit of those involved.

“We are doing everything in our power to root out anyone who is involved in serious organised crime and make the Beechwood area a safer place for generations to come.

“We will be using a number of policing tactics, including high-visibility policing and a mobile police station, alongside activity from partners and input from residents to protect communities and ultimately prevent organised crime groups from operating.

“I hope this latest activity demonstrates very clearly that there is simply no hiding place for anyone who brings misery to our communities.”

Inspector Robinson added:

“Information from the public is vital if we are to breakdown the organised crime groups who bring misery to our streets and I would appeal to anyone who has information to come forward.

“I completely understand that speaking up could be daunting, but when people are willing to support the police we will ensure every possible avenue is progressed to protect them.

“And if you don’t feel comfortable coming directly to the police you can call the independent, anonymous, Crimestoppers hotline on 0800 555 111, we need to know who is involved in gun crime and where those guns are being stored.”

Information from the public is vital to the success of the ongoing work and anyone who has information about firearms or drug dealing in your community, you can DM us @MerPolCC on Twitter or ‘Merseyside Police Contact Centre’ on Facebook or call 101.