Merseyside’s Police and Crime Commissioner is welcoming a report by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire Service (HMICFRS), rating Merseyside Police as outstanding for its approach to tackling serious organised crime (SOC).
The force has been graded for its approach to SOC six times by HMICFRS since the first inspection back in 2016 and each time has been graded as Outstanding.
For the first time this year the HMICFRS report focuses on the North West Region as a whole, with individual gradings for the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit, Merseyside Police, Greater Manchester Police, Cheshire Constabulary, Lancashire Police, North Wales Police and Cumbria Police.
Merseyside Police and Crime Commissioner Emily Spurrell said: “I welcome this very positive report by HMICFRS, recognising the outstanding approach Merseyside Police is taking to tackling serious organised crime.
“Serious and organised crime groups spread fear and intimidation within the communities they operate, bringing misery to the lives of innocent people and often using vulnerable young people to do their dirty work. Through initiatives like Op Evolve, Project Medusa and Operation Stonehaven, Merseyside Police is relentless in identifying, disrupting, and bringing offenders to justice, whilst supporting and safeguarding those most at risk of harm and exploitation. This is supported on a regional level by the NWROCU and I’m pleased they too have been graded as outstanding in this work.
“This report, coupled with a recent reduction in firearms discharges, is testament to the commitment, determination, and hard work of Merseyside Police officers, PCSO’s and staff to keep our communities safe and my thanks go to them for everything they do, day in day out.
“Prevention is critical to this work, and I am pleased inspectors recognised the strength of Merseyside’s Police partnerships and its determined efforts, supported by our Violence Reduction Partnership, to get upstream and stop vulnerable young people getting drawn into a life of crime. This is vital if we are to continue to see serious violence reduce.
“I am determined to do everything I can to support the Chief Constable and her workforce as they continue to pursue those organised crime groups, prevent vulnerable young people from getting drawn into crime and make all our communities safer and stronger.”
Today the Chief Constable has acknowledged the hard work of officers and staff in the force’s fight against serious organised crime and has pledged to ensure that the force’s relentless approach will continue in earnest.
