More than 1000 arrests in Merseyside Winter of Action campaign
05.02.26 - Merseyside
A winter crackdown to make communities safer by proactively pursuing those involved in criminality has resulted in more than 1000 arrests.
The crackdown was part of the national Winter of Action campaign, which ran from December 01 to January 31, and saw officers clamping down on seasonal crime trends including retail crime and antisocial behaviour throughout the two months
In total, officers made 1045 arrests for Winter of Action related offences, with Neighbourhood Policing teams acting as the driving force behind the campaign.
Retail crime arrests saw an increase of 26 percent on the previous two months before the campaign, while street crime arrests increased by 71 percent.
Emily Spurrell, Merseyside Police and Crime Commissioner, said: “The Winter of Action results are a clear reflection of the hard work and unwavering commitment shown by our Neighbourhood Policing teams throughout one of the busiest times of the year. I want to thank every officer and staff member who continued to give their all over the Christmas and New Year period to protect our communities and support those who work in and visit our local shops and town centres.
“These outcomes demonstrate what can be achieved when we maintain strong partnerships and keep a clear focus on tackling the issues that matter most to the public. The dedication shown over the winter months will continue throughout 2026 and beyond, working closely with our local authority partners, to ensure our town centres remain safe, welcoming places for everyone.
“I’m grateful for the efforts that have contributed to these positive results, building on our previously successful Summer of Action campaign, and I am assured that this sustained action will continue to improve safety and confidence for all across our region.”
Chief Inspector David Uren, Winter of Action Lead for the force, provided reassurance: “The results for the Winter of Action show our contempt for those involved in criminality whilst at the same time showing our support and care for our local communities who want to be able to visit their town centres and not have to worry.
“Day in day out our officers are working hard to keep our communities safe, but during the two months of the campaign we’ve really pushed ourselves, right across the force, to maintain the same pressure and focus through January as we would leading up to the festive season when we know these kinds of crimes can increase.
“I am particularly pleased with the increase in arrests around retail crime. Staff in shops work incredibly hard across Christmas, and we know there’s often significant underreporting of theft offences. I hope this increase means that retail workers and business owners are feeling more empowered to report to us.
“Operation Limit saw a record number arrests this year for drink and drug driving, and Operation Gears has continued to deliver strong results in tackling dangerous, illegal and antisocial vehicle use across the region. During the Winter of Action period, officers removed 227 illegal vehicles from the roads. January 2026 marked the second highest month for illegal vehicle seizures to date, with 144 vehicles taken off Merseyside’s streets in just four weeks.
“We launched this operation in collaboration with the office of the Police and Crime commissioner, as well as our partners at the council, all with the shared goal of making town centres safer places to live and work. Our Safer Town Centres conference in January, which brought together national leaders and forces from around the country, was a demonstration of our commitment to delivering that, and I hope these arrests show our communities how determined we are to deliver.”