Latest updates from Southport Police station

Good morning from Southport Police Station on day three of Neighbourhood Policing week.

Before a round up of day 2, a thank you to the local social media pages who have shared our posts this week so far. It helps us raise awareness of the work that Neighbourhood Policing Teams do every day and not just for one week of action at a time. If anyone has comments or questions on the work we do, please ask those questions on this page, as it is not as straightforward for us to comment on other pages, due to the way we use social media. Oh, and we have fewer photos from yesterday's work because it simply isn't practical for us to stop and take photos all the time.

Yesterday, Tuesday 23rd, Southport Neighbourhood Officers were on standby in case we were needed to assist with a crime scene elsewhere in Merseyside. In the end we weren’t required however, this is something that can happen at any time. Although Neighbourhood teams have a regular local focus, PCSO’s can be required to work anywhere in Merseyside and Police Officers can assist other Police Services anywhere in the UK, with mutual aid, if required.

Team 3, on the day shift, continued their open land searches at Portland Street playing field and Bedford Park. A number of reports have been made regarding drug dealing on Portland Street fields and during the searches there, a ceramic bong, in the shape of a gun, was found by officers, hidden behind the changing rooms. A tool box that had been used to store cannabis was also located in Bedford Park and was seized by Officers. Further action to address drug dealing issues at the parks will now be planned.

At the other end of the spectrum of work that Neighbourhood Officers get involved with, Officers responded to recent complaints regarding parking during school drop off and collection times at Farnborough Road Primary School. Officers conducted high visibility patrol during school release time on Central Avenue and Liverpool Road. During officers' presence, members of the public were advised regarding their parking, which has caused hazards and obstructions. Members of the public were vocal in their support for the police presence yesterday. Clearly, this is not something that we can offer to do every day, as other incidents can take priority, but whenever possible, Neighbourhood Police Officers and PCSO’s will assist outside schools with these type of concerns. We often put reminders about parking issues outside school on social media and we ask for parents co-operation in keeping children safe in these areas.

Team 1 were on the late shift yesterday. Police Officers 1831 and 7770 and PCSO’s 0240 and 0111 were on foot patrol in Southport town centre in the afternoon, before jumping in the van to conduct mobile patrol of anti-social behaviour (ASB) hotspots across Southport , Ainsdale, Churchtown and Crosssens and retail parks, at Ocean Plaza and Central 12. PCSO 0053 was on foot patrol of the High Park area, while other PCSO’s conducted more victim contact calls to discuss issues and how we might support victims with their particular incidents.

Operation: Peach
Due to a recent increase in complaints from schools and parents of off-licenses and convenience stores selling vapes to children, including those in school uniform, officers arranged Operation Peach. Operation Peach is designed to combat this and aims to reduce and prosecute the sale of electronic cigarettes and vapes to underage persons at retail premises in conjunction with Trading Standards.

Neighbourhood Constables 8998 and 1440 have held multiple partner agency meetings with Trading Standards Officers and compiled a list of premises that complaints have been made about.

Constables 8998 and 1440 arranged the operation and proceeded yesterday with a 14 year old volunteer as their test purchaser and with a Trading Standards enforcement officer.

Six premises were visited in the Southport and Formby area, three of which passed and declined to sell a Vape to the under age volunteer. Three stores did not question the volunteer’s age and sold them the vape with no second thought or questioning.

 One store was also selling counterfeit cigarettes, identified while at the scene, which will also be added to their offences to be considered. These were challenged on the evening and Trading Standards pointed out the offence and informed them that they will be reported for consideration of Prosecution for the offence.
Operation Peach proved efficient in responding to concerns raised from the neighbourhood over this issue and it will be continued.
Join us again on Thursday morning with a round up of Neighbourhood Policing activity from today.