Community praises cops after dramatic raids at dawn (From Wirral Globe)

Community praises cops after dramatic raids at dawn

2:15pm Tuesday 10th April 2007 in News By Kelly Barker

A COMMUNITY terrorised by yobs has praised drastic police action in the wake of dawn raids last week.

Swarms of riot police blasted through doors in Birkenhead to wage war on antisocial residents.

And a police helicopter hovered above while 14 search warrants were executed on properties in Carrington Street and Rundle Street.

Multiple agencies including the RSPCA, Customs and Excise, Trading Standards and the anti-smuggling team made up a 150-strong task force in the search for illegal activity.

And this week neighbours and councillors said it was "about time" firm action was taken against the thugs who have plagued the area.

Eight people were arrested, including three women and five men, for handling stolen goods, abstracting electricity and drug offences.

"This was a much-needed emergency operation aimed at protecting the law abiding people who have been suffering."

John Cocker

Class A, Class B and Class C drugs were seized, including cocaine.

Residents said that the raid, which was part of the government's Operation Respect, has already had a profound affect on the area.

One told the Globe: "The raids were definitely welcomed and will hopefully solve some of the antisocial problems we have been having.

"It has been very quiet in the aftermath and the move has obviously sent shock waves to the culprits."

And Bidston and St James councillor John Cocker said the streets had become a "no-go area" for terrified members of the public.

"The area has been subject to a great deal of anti-social behaviour which has damaged the confidence of the people living in the vicinity.

"Residents have been pushing the police to take action for a long time and have had to suffer some horrific ordeals that their nuisance neighbours have subjected them to.

"This also has a strong impact on the older people who have lived there for years so it is about time something was done about it."

He added: "I have had many complaints from my constituents over the last four to five years which have been becoming more extreme - there are areas around both streets which are total no go areas and too many people are living in fear.

"In my opinion, this was a much-needed emergency operation aimed at protecting the law abiding people who have been suffering."

But a local shop assistant said the raid was "mind boggling."

"TV crews, police helicopters, officials, and for what? A few arrests? It looked like a scene from Hot Fuzz, but on the plus side things did go well, and we have a few more behind bars."