Merseyside Police and Liverpool Council unite to combat antisocial behaviour in Liverpool’s parks and open areas

Operation Park Safe sees officers conduct patrols of parks to provide a highly visible presence and address issues of antisocial behaviour (ASB) during weekends and key times of year.

Merseyside Police and Liverpool City Council have joined forces for a joint operation to make parks and open spaces a safer from antisocial behaviour in Liverpool.

Local officers collaborate with Park Enforcement Officers from City Watch’s Safer Parks team and the Roads Policing Unit to crack down on anti-social behavior (ASB), crime, and the illegal use of off-road vehicles.

This operation also serves as an opportunity for officers to engage with the community, address their concerns, and gather valuable intelligence, leading to multiple arrests, vehicle seizures, and community resolution orders.

During a patrol in Falkner Square Gardens, officers intercepted a suspected drug deal, resulting in the arrest of an individual for possession with intent to supply, along with the seizure of heroin and a significant amount of cash.

In St John’s Gardens, City Watch and police officers apprehended a robbery suspect spotted on CCTV in Liverpool ONE.

Inspector Nicola Hamilton said:

“Operation Park Safe is our partnership approach to keep Liverpool’s parks and open spaces safe for everyone. This involves patrols of the parks, responding to calls and acting on intelligence from the public. 

“We work closely with Liverpool Council’s City Watch team to patrol, reduce antisocial behaviour and provide a reassuring presence for the public. 

“The vast majority of the public treat the parks with respect and the feedback has been really positive. We would ask members of the community to report any issues to us, so we can continue to take action.

“If you witness or experience ASB, report it online via our website or to the council. By working together, we can take positive action to help build stronger, healthier communities.”

Liverpool has 208 parks and green spaces which are covered by the Council’s Patrol and Response team, and thanks to additional funding through the council’s Great Outdoor Pledge, it’s been able to support local communities with additional patrols.

Cllr Laura Robertson-Collins, Cabinet Member for Communities, Neighbourhoods and Streetscene, said:

“The Safer Parks programme has achieved some great results this Summer, not least in reassuring residents that our world class parks and green spaces are theirs to enjoy, in safety. 

“The Safer Parks programme is a great team effort between our Parks and City Watch teams and their colleagues in Merseyside Police. They’ve also been greatly assisted by the many wonderful friends of the parks and local community groups who support their activities and help to highlight areas so we can tackle those issues that are of most concern, be it scrambler bikes to fly-tipping.

“This approach has helped to forge ever greater links with communities and partners, which will provide a lasting legacy of effective networks that will help to strengthen our ability to respond to issues and ensure our green spaces remain everyone’s to enjoy and spaces where nature can continue to flourish in our city.”

Anyone who has information about antisocial behaviour in Liverpool, or other criminal activity in the community, you can contact Merseyside Police here.