FOUR people were arrested in raids at properties in Birkenhead, Tranmere and Frankby.

A 14-year-old boy was held in relation to two offences of theft from a shop.

A wanted 31-year-old man was also arrested for two offences of theft from a shop.

Another man, 36, was arrested for a shop theft, and a 40-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of possession of a controlled drug.

Merseyside Police said the raids, which took place yesterday morning, were part of a wider operation aimed at robbers and their associates in the run up to Christmas.