POLICE  have identified 16 organised crime gangs (OCGs) currently operating in one part of Merseyside.

The OCGs are known to be based across the Knowsley area - which includes communities such as Whiston and Prescot - with their main activities focused on vehicle theft, commercial robbery and drug supply.

Policing investigations and initiatives

According to a report presented at the latest Merseyside Police and Crime Panel meeting at Huyton’s Municipal Building last week, information about Knowsley’s OCGs is the result of various high profile investigations, but is also credited to community policing initiatives and intelligence provided by local residents.

Each year, Merseyside Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), Emily Spurrell allocates grant funding to organisations across Merseyside working to reduce crime and disorder in the region.

In 2023/24, Ms Spurrell awarded grants totalling £1.971m to all five of the region’s local authorities and two voluntary sector organisations to help achieve her key priorities in building stronger and safer communities.

As part of this funding programme, Knowsley Council received a Crime and Disorder Grant of £181,000 which allowed for a series of investments in local community projects around education, crime prevention and victim support. Reference was also made to Knowsley Community Safety Plan 2022-25 which has helped police and the local authority to assess and manage risks associated with serious crime – its proliferation and the impact on communities.

'Only by identifying them can we bring them to justice'

Police reported that Knowsley, which borders the St Helens borough, now has a well-developed multi-agency partnership to ensure all available powers are brought to bear locally against serious and organised crime.

There have been numerous high-profile crimes in St Helens, reported on by the Star, that have had links to Knowsley.

Superintendent for Knowsley, Karl Baldwin said “Merseyside knows all too well the harm, suffering and pain serious and organised crime causes, which is why we focus on tackling it so robustly.

“Only by identifying these groups can we hope to bring them to justice. We are aware of at least 16 organised crime groups operating across Knowsley, many of these groups have been identified by communities doing the right thing and telling us, or anonymously through Crimestoppers, what’s happening on their streets.”

Mr Baldwin added: “We are relentless in demonstrating drugs and weapons have no place on our streets, and Merseyside Police will never stop bringing down serious and organised criminal groups.

“I urge people that if they know where weapons and drugs are being stored or who is using them to let us know so that we can take action and take them out of circulation.”