Merseyside Police have pledged to step up their commitment to tackling anti-social behaviour in West Kirby.
Hundreds of young people have been gathering in the town over the summer, and there have been a series of incidents of disorder. Several 48 hour dispersal orders have been introduced to give officers additional powers.
Last Friday, more than 100 youngsters gathered at Cubbins Green and police received reports of three assaults, including one in which a teenage boy was stabbed in the legs and arm. He is now recovering at home, and there have been four arrests in relation to the incidents.
Earlier this month, police launched Operation Openspace, a high profile initiative in tourist hotspots including West Kirby, working alongside British Transport Police, Wirral Council and Mersey Fire and Rescue Service.
Now they have revealed they are planning a series of projects to tackle the issue in the long-term, including working with schools.
Wirral Chief Inspector Tom Welch said: “High visibility officers will continue to patrol in key anti-social hotspots to reassure people that we are proactively doing all we can to prevent such incidents from taking place.
“There will also be mobile police stations placed in key locations so our officers can speak to local residents who may have concerns. This will be supported by youth outreach workers to engage with young people and steer them away from anti-social behaviour.
“This is an opportunity for residents to talk to officers on patrol and raise any concerns you may have in the community or report any anti-social behaviour and crime.”
Chief Inspector Welch added: “Proactive initiatives such as this allow us to have a targeted and coordinated approach to tackle anti-social and criminal behaviour and to prevent incidents from happening.
“Operation Openspace is a multi-agency collaboration working alongside partners in the borough including Wirral Council, park rangers, Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service and British Transport Police to address issues.
“In addition to planned action days being held, our officers are currently developing a series of proactive initiatives that will aim to address anti-social behaviour over a longer-term basis. This includes a series of projects which aims to improve relationships with local schools.
“Our officers remain in the area to reassure residents, and we are committed to removing anyone who stores, carries and uses weapons in our community through proactive use of stop and search powers, open land searches, warrants and education work alongside partners at schools in Wirral.”
