Police confirm what they found after officers swarmed estate
Police have issued an update on a warrant executed at a row of derelict houses awaiting demolition. The National Crime Agency (NCA) and Merseyside Police flooded Stonedale Crescent in Croxteth.
People living on the estate told the ECHO police first arrived around 9.30pm on Sunday, November 10, before NCA officers began searching the properties. Sniffer dogs and NCA officers could be seen inside the row houses that are in the process of being demolished. Those working on the demolition were forced to stand on the pavement and watch after returning to the site to find police executing a warrant.
Following the conclusion of the warrant on the houses, Merseyside Police confirmed class A drugs had been found during the search. A spokesperson for the force also confirmed enquiries remain ongoing.
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Neighbours told the ECHO the row of houses has been empty since last month, with work beginning around a week ago. One woman, who has lived on the estate for more than 50 years, said: "There were five or six vans this side of the row last night. They got here around 9.30pm.
"I've only seen the one police dog searching the area at the back of the houses. They've been here all night and it just seems odd they would have found something yesterday."
Another neighbour, living on Invergarry Road, said the previous tenants of the homes were "all nice people" and said they were surprised to see police conducting a search in the area. On Monday afternoon, Merseyside Police, who is leading the investigation in conjunction with the NCA, said: "We can confirm officers are currently in Stonedale Crescent in Croxteth carrying out a warrant as part of an ongoing investigation. A search of a number of derelict properties is currently being carried out and enquiries remain ongoing."
Another woman told the ECHO: "I came home from work about 9pm and they were here around 9.30pm and haven't left. It's really bizarre, they're just empty houses and they've already ripped out the back of them. But we're used to police around here, you have to be."