Earlier this year, Merseyside’s Police and Crime Commissioner Emily Spurrell proudly delivered Safer Streets Summer—a bold, collaborative campaign that made our town centres safer, more welcoming, and more resilient to crime and anti-social behaviour (ASB).
Running from June to September, this campaign brought together Merseyside Police, local councils, community organisations, and residents in a united effort to tackle the issues that matter most—retail crime, youth violence, ASB, and street crime—while restoring pride and confidence in our public spaces.
What is Safer Streets Summer?
Safer Streets Summer formed part of the Government’s Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee, ensuring every community has dedicated officers on the beat, especially in hotspot areas during peak times. It builds on the everyday work of our local policing teams and reflects our commitment to prevention, partnership, and public engagement.
Whether people were shopping in town, enjoying a park, or heading out for the evening, the campaign focussed on making sure everyone felt safe, supported, and proud of where they live.
Key Activities This Summer
Throughout the summer, we deployed a wide range of initiatives to make a real, lasting impact:
- High-visibility patrols and plain-clothes operations
- Mobile police stations and problem-solving policing funded through the Hotspot Action Fund
- Retail crime prevention and targeted licensing checks
- Youth diversion programmes through the PCC’s £460,000 Youth Empowerment Scheme
- CCTV upgrades, community outreach, and ASB awareness campaigns
We also supported vital initiatives like Operation Empower to prevent violence against women and girls, Operation Parksafe to protect our green spaces, and Operation Calor to tackle youth violence in public spaces.
Community Walkabouts
A standout feature of the campaign was a series of community walkabouts, giving residents the chance to meet the PCC, local police officers, and councillors face-to-face.
These walkabouts offered a unique opportunity to:
- Share concerns and ideas
- See first-hand the work being done to improve safety
- Engage with local businesses and receive crime prevention advice
Walkabouts took place in:
- Bootle – Stanley Road / Strand Shopping Centre – 16 July, 4pm
- Kirkby – Town Centre – 4 August, 12noon
- Liverpool City Centre – Chavasse Park – 8 August, 10am
- Southport – Town Centre – 12 August, 1pm
- St Helens – Town Centre – 13 August, 1.45pm
- Birkenhead – Town Centre – 26 August, 10am
Safer Streets Summer wasn’t just about enforcement—it was about building trust, creating connections, and empowering communities. Together, we reclaimed our town centres and made Merseyside a place where everyone can thrive.
Thank you to everyone who supported and took part in this campaign. Your involvement helped make Merseyside safer for all.