28 arrested after two-day county lines operation in Sefton

Around £10,000 in cash was seized as part of the investigation
-Credit: (Image: Merseyside Police)


28 people have been arrested as part of a a two-day police operation targeting the county lines movement of drugs and weapons into Sefton. The operation took place on October 23 and 24, and was the result of a coordinated effort between officers from specialist county lines team Project Medusa and Sefton’s Local Policing Team working in partnership with the British Transport Police (BTP).

Working with BTP, officers deployed at stations and on services across the rail network to identify any passengers travelling to and from the area who might have been involved in County Lines drug dealing. Checks were also carried out at Southport Train Station and foot patrols were carried out in Bootle and the surrounding areas.

Using technology and police intelligence, the roads networks were also targeted across Sefton to combat criminals exploiting major roads and motorways. While this was happening, specialist officers and detectives targeted addresses in Southport and North Sefton based on intelligence about potential County Lines activity. The warrants led to two arrests and a quantity of Class A drugs seized.

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During the operation, the County Lines Taskforce deployed with Outreach Workers from Change, Grow, Live (CGL) Sefton for the first time, to identify vulnerable people involved in county lines and provide bespoke support to end the cycle of reoffending and drug addiction. Catch 22’s Support and Rescue Service were also involved to ensure that the right help could be accessed quickly and effectively.

This collaborative effort resulted in 23 vulnerable children and adults being identified and referred to safeguarding services across the two days. 28 people were arrested – 13 of which were on suspicion of possession with intent to supply and concerned in the supply of Class A and B drugs offences. 82 stop searches were conducted, 71 new intelligence reports were discovered, two vehicles were seized and around £10,000 in cash was seized.

13 people were arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply and concerned in the supply of Class A and B drugs
13 people were arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply and concerned in the supply of Class A and B drugs -Credit:Merseyside Police

Merseyside’s Project Medusa team was introduced in 2019 to tackle county lines drug dealing and the criminal exploitation of young people and vulnerable adults. The team provide the daily force response to county lines in Merseyside, using covert and overt tactics to intercept weapons, drugs, and illicit cash, and identify vulnerable individuals exploited by county lines gangs.

Local Policing Superintendent Paul Holden said: “County Lines causes misery for our communities, so it is absolutely right that we continue to put significant effort into identifying and arresting those involved. This two-day operation across Sefton, which supplements our daily policing activities, resulted in 28 arrests, but most importantly 23 vulnerable people have been identified and are now working with our safeguarding partners Catch 22 and Change, Grow, Live.

“We’ve also gathered significant intelligence reports which will be used to prevent future crime and protect vulnerable people in our community. If something doesn’t feel right, it often isn’t, so please report it to us. Every piece of intelligence builds a picture and can help us close a criminal enterprise and prosecute county lines gangs who are targeting children, young people and the vulnerable.”

Gary Wright, from Change, Grow, Live Sefton said: “This operation provided some positive partnership working with some good outcomes and interventions. It was a great opportunity to work together to safeguard vulnerable adults and children. The more chances we get to work together will mean that we are able to support people to change their lives for the better.”