Merseyside Police is leading a new initiative to keep West Kirby’s open spaces and beaches safe during the summer months.
‘Openspace’ will see police officers working alongside a range of partners to prevent serious violence and anti-social behaviour in key tourist hotspot areas across Wirral, including Ashton Park and coastal areas.
Other organisations involved included Wirral Council, Wirral Coastguard, Wirral Park Rangers, Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service and British Transport Police.
This initiative will also provide officers with the opportunity to talk to local people, listen to their concerns and gather intelligence, allowing partners to take further action against those who are committing crime or engaging in anti-social behaviour.
Wirral Chief Inspector Tom Welch said: “Openspace will give us the opportunity to take a robust and coordinated approach to tackling those who are blighting our communities through their involvement in anti-social behaviour and serious violence issues, whilst at the same time reassuring our communities that we are committed to preventing further incidents.
“We know from our data that we tend to see an increase in the reporting of anti-social behaviour in the summer months and this can have an impact on those who like to enjoy Wirral’s most popular beaches, parks, local towns, and open spaces. So, in the coming weeks our communities can expect to see officers out on foot, in vehicles, on horseback and on quad bikes to make sure that people can enjoy the summer sunshine safely.
“From the work we have conducted so far, we have already received lots of positive feedback from the community and through these conversations we have been able to take direct action on concerns. I would therefore like to remind people that we are here to listen about their issues and encourage them to continue to come forward so we can keep taking this positive action.”
Cllr Helen Cameron, Chair of the Tourism, Communities, Culture and Leisure Committee at Wirral Council, said: “It is important we do whatever we can to protect the quality of life of law-abiding residents who live in areas that seem to attract this level of crime and anti-social behaviour.
“By coming together on this operation and standing up for residents, not only are partners sending the message that this kind of criminality is unacceptable anywhere in Wirral, we are also looking to reassure the wider community that we can – and will – take action against it.”
Anyone who has information about anti-social behaviour or other criminal activity in the community is advised to contact Merseyside Police by sending a DM to @MerPolCC on Twitter, calling 101 or contacting Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.