Hotspot patrols return for 2025/26 with £2.39 million boost to tackle serious violence and ASB in Merseyside
06.08.25 - Merseyside
The Police and Crime Commissioner and Merseyside Police have secured £2.39 million in funding from the Home Office to continue the successful hotspot policing initiative into 2025/26, reinforcing the commitment to tackling serious violence and antisocial behaviour (ASB) in the region’s most affected areas.
The funding will support more than 21,000 hours of high-visibility patrols by uniformed officers and PCSOs in areas most impacted by knife crime and ASB.
Using local crime data, Merseyside Police identifies the areas with the highest levels of violent crime and antisocial behaviour.
The initiative was first launched in 2021 with funding from central government’s Hotspot Action Fund.
In 2024/25, there were 25 hotspot areas across the five boroughs of Merseyside.
This year, patrols will expand into four new areas, supporting the government’s Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee with increased police presence in town centres and other hotspots during peak times, such as Friday and Saturday nights.
Local crime data is used to identify areas with the highest levels of crime and antisocial behaviour.
Collectively, these 29 hotspot areas account for 27% of serious violence, 25% of knife crime, and 17% of ASB crimes over the past three years.
These patrols not only target serious or repeat offenders but also act as a visible deterrent and provide officers with opportunities to engage with communities.
This renewed investment follows a successful year for the initiative. In 2024/25, Merseyside Police recorded a 28.8% reduction in serious violent crime (145 fewer offences) and a 1.9% reduction in ASB (44 fewer offences) across the 25 hotspot areas. These results demonstrate the effectiveness of a data-driven, targeted approach.
In the past year, hotspot patrols have also led to:
- 789 pieces of intelligence submitted
- 300 arrests
- 1,159 stop and searches
- 40 offensive weapons seized
Community engagement is a key part of hotspot policing to increase public reassurance. Over the past year, 917 pieces of community feedback have been gathered, with both businesses and residents noting an increased uniformed presence and reporting that they feel safer as a result.
As part of the Hotspot Action Fund in 2024/25, more than £400,000 was invested in a range of proven crime prevention initiatives across Merseyside. This funding supported the expansion of CCTV coverage, the enhancement of City Watch schemes, and the delivery of community-led projects aimed at preventing crime and encouraging reporting.
It also enabled the development of youth intervention programmes and outreach initiatives, with youth workers engaging directly with at-risk young people to help divert them from crime and violence. These efforts complemented the hotspot patrols by tackling the root causes of offending and strengthening community safety.
Case Study: Community-Led Transformation of Mystery Park
Merseyside Police, Liverpool City Council, and local partners have celebrated the success of a community-led initiative that has revitalised Mystery Park in Wavertree.
At the heart of the project is Community Corner – a once-neglected passage transformed through planting, public art, and a new community bench. The improvements have made the area more inviting, especially for older residents who now feel safer and more included.
Funded by the Hotspot Response Fund in 2024/25, the initiative brought together residents and recovery charity Damian John Kelly House (DJK) to address safety concerns and foster a stronger sense of community. The project aligns with the region’s efforts to reduce serious violence and antisocial behaviour, supported by high-visibility patrols and funding from the Home Office.
The project has contributed to a notable drop in serious violent crime within the hotspot area. In FY 2022/23, there were 16 reported incidents. This fell to 10 in FY 2023/24, and further dropped to just 2 incidents in FY 2024/25. This represents an 87.5% reduction over the three-year period. The steady decline year-on-year reflects the effectiveness of ongoing efforts to improve safety and reduce crime.
The transformed space in Mystery Park
Superintendent Phil Mullally, lead for serious violence and knife crime, said: “Violent crime and antisocial behaviour have a profound impact on people’s lives and sense of safety. That’s why tackling these crimes remains a key priority for Merseyside Police.
“Through these data-driven patrols, we’ve been able to make a real difference in the areas that need it most – 80% of hotspots last year saw a reduction in serious violent crime and/or antisocial behaviour.
“We know there’s still work to be done, and we’re committed to doing it. Through these patrols, officers are listening to communities, understanding their concerns, and working with residents and organisations to find long-term solutions.
“We need the public’s help. Every report matters. Your information helps us understand what’s happening, where it’s happening, and how best to respond.”
Merseyside Police and Crime Commissioner Emily Spurrell said: “I know that people across Merseyside, like me, want to see more police on our streets and clearly, these figures show that by increasing police visibility in known hotspot areas, we are seeing a reduction in incidents.
“From improvements to CCTV, to diversionary activities for young people, to outreach and upskill sessions for the most vulnerable in our communities, to initiatives that increase safety in our night-time economy and retail spaces, this data shows us that the significant investments we’ve already made, through our Hotspot Action Fund, are having a crucial impact when it comes to tackling serious violence and anti-social behaviour.
“These improvements are a direct result of the tireless work by Merseyside Police and our dedicated partners, who are committed to preventing harm and holding offenders to account.
“We know there’s more to do, which is why we’re investing more money into more wonderful projects, whilst expanding this initiative into new areas, at key times, with increased patrols, targeting more offenders, and preventing crimes from happening in the first place.
“Serious violence continues to affect too many lives, and we won’t stop until every community feels the benefit of lasting change.
“I’m very grateful to Government for this vital funding for another year, allowing our police force to build on this important work and I look forward to seeing how these initiatives continue to reduce violence and anti-social behaviour, helping to build safer, stronger communities across Merseyside.”