Huge police convoy moves through Merseyside
A huge police convoy carrying more than 250 officers left Merseyside police headquarters earlier as part of early morning drug and organised crime raids.
The major operation in Stockbridge Village and Huyton aims to disrupt drug dealing, organised crime, violence against women and girls and robbery, Merseyside Police said.
The force has executed 16 warrants so far in what has been named Operation Vanguard, adding it will also be carrying out land and underwater searches throughout the day.
Chief Constable Rob Carden said it was "one of the largest operations of this type conducted in many years" and aimed to safeguard vulnerable people being exploited by ruthless criminals.
"The scale and impact of today's operation should leave criminals in absolutely no doubt - we are here, we are watching, and if you are involved in criminality you can expect a knock on your door," Chief Constable Carden said.
"This morning we have seen doors of suspects going in and throughout the day cars will be stopped, undergrowth and canals searched and there will have been significant numbers of officers on patrols in those areas the public tell us have been harmed by criminality."
He added work will continue throughout the day, alongside staff from the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit, British Transport Police and Knowsley Council in a "unified endeavour to tackle criminality".
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