Man suspected of breaking into young mother’s home arrested while child was watching TV

A man suspected of burglarizing a young mother’s home as part of a drug gang operation has been arrested while her child was watching TV.

A team of police, including two in riot gear, carrying a saw and battering rams, arrived on the street near the Beechwood estate shortly after 9am today, Thursday 16 May. After finding the door already open, officers entered the home. shouting “police with a warrant” and quickly arrested a man suspected of involvement in organized crime in the area.

The stark reality of who the real victims of the crime are was revealed by the cries of a woman inside the house who said her young child was watching television. A senior police officer later told the ECHO that the child was just a toddler and the house was “probably or is a hemlock address”. The house next to the address had children’s furniture stacked outside, while a toddler sat with her mother outside a community center just 50 meters away.

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Merseyside Police later confirmed that a 20-year-old man from the Bidston area was arrested on suspicion of importing and possessing with intent to supply a class B drug (ketamine). He was taken to a police station in Merseyside, where he remains pending a hearing. Separately, officers equipped with metal detectors and search equipment conducted ground searches and discovered a suspected stolen motorcycle, suspected stolen car and an offensive weapon.

The raid was just one of a number carried out in the area in a definitive day of action for Merseyside Police and its various partners on the Wirral. The day marked 12 months since the force began its Clear, Hold, Build initiative, known locally as EVOLVE Wirral. The programme, part-funded by the Home Office, had already been successfully launched in other parts of Merseyside, including Huyton and Dovecot, following the killing of schoolgirl Olivia Pratt-Korbel.

The three-phase initiative uses a combination of high-visibility policing and covert policing tactics, alongside the work of partners and input from residents to protect their communities and prevent the operation of organized crime groups.

The Wirral program was launched in the Woodchurch, Beechwood and Noctorum areas following the murder of Elle Edwards on Christmas Eve 2022. In the months following Ms Edwards’ murder, Merseyside Police’s operation targeted those involved in serious and organized crime, which led at sentencing. Connor Chapman to 48 years in prison.

Eight hundred arrests were made, hundreds of thousands of drug suspects seized and numerous members of organized crime groups (OCGs) sent behind bars. Officers also took a significant number of weapons off the streets, including firearms, crossbows and knives.

Community initiatives have since received £66,000, more than a third of which has been seized from criminals under the Proceeds of Crime Act, to help them rebuild their cohesion and make it harder for gangs to take control.

Speaking to the ECHO, Superintendent Matthew Moscrop said: “These estates are full of decent people who behave themselves and don’t like criminals. But there have been some historical issues where gangs have operated or associated with properties. they feel safe, that’s why we target them there. We know the approach works.

“When we go in with a tougher targeted policing approach, that’s great, but if you don’t support it, maintain the area and build the community, then you’re just fighting the same battle. We know the success we’ve had, but we know we have to keep people involved who like it and want to play their part. This is where we get our long-term success.”

One of the community organizations that has benefited from EVOLVE funding is Tranmere Rovers Beechwood Leisure Centre. Manager Kelly Baker told the ECHO that the atmosphere at the Beechwood estate had changed since the funding came in and when asked why, she added: “There was nothing here for them. Now, with the funding, it has given people aged three to 80 the chance. to find a service.

“It gave the kids something to do and somewhere to be safe. They have something continuous in their lives. The children here have a wonderful heart. They will talk and help people. (The funding) had a massive impact because it was given to them. They know that the funding that allows them to carry out their activities in their local community and mix with people from different areas comes from the police.”

One of the most important successes is the significant reduction in the number of firearms on the Wirral. Superintendent Moscrop said the force recorded “seven or eight in 2022 and we’ve had one since then”. He added: “We have been very successful in getting people out. But I think people see the killing of Elle Edwards and how horrific it was, so some people in the criminal fraternity will say “that’s not where we want to go”.

“But we’ve taken some big players out and people realize it’s not worth it. Connor Chapman is 48, they don’t want that to happen. It’s not worth it to them and it’s hard for them to do damage with firearms if they have We’re in jail .We have been successful in what we do, but I imagine there has also been a change in criminal behavior.

“We know there are still firearms out there and people are prepared to use them, so we’re going to keep going, so if you know something, let us know and we’ll do something about it.”

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