POLICE have marshalled an impressive list of operations carried out since the start of the year to counter new criticism that families have become demoralised by an inadequate response to anti-social behaviour.

The force has again come under fire from Birkenhead's MP who told the Globe police were failing victims of yob abuse.

Frank Field told us householders are feeling increasingly let down by the way their complaints are dealt with - and that despite a two-year campaign nothing has changed.

Birkenhead Neighbourhood Inspector Georgina Minnery then compiled a catalogue of enforcement carried out since the start of 2016.

Her list includes an operation that saw ten burglars locked up and stolen property returned to owners, busting several cannabis farms, a week of action to tackle knife crime and a crackdown on motorbike joyriders.

Mr Field has been pressing for police operations to be ramped-up against criminals and yobs in Birkenhead.

Last year he told this newspaper parts of the town had become the "Beirut of the North" after despairing over what he regarded as the force's poor reaction to a growing crisis.

Wirral Globe: Frank Field raised concerns about the sanctions regime

Birkenhead MP Frank Field says people feel demoralised

Over the last 12 months the MP has held a series of meetings with top officials to try to devise an action plan.

In December Mr Field wrote to Wirral Area Commander Chief Superintendent John Martin demanding answers about a "worryingly large number of yobs forcing a life of misery and fear" on households.

The chief responded by saying: "I want to be clear when I state that we have not, and will not give up on fighting those types of crimes and incidents that affect our communities the most and I will continue to deploy the resources I have to those areas where the need is greatest and they can be used to best effect."

But Mr Field believes nothing has improved and long-suffering families are now so demoralised they barely bother reporting anti-social behaviour to police.

"There has been no decrease in the number of letters I receive, no decrease in the emails from people saying how yobs are tormenting their streets and terrorising their neighbourhoods," he said.

"It's all as bad as it ever was - if not worse.

Wirral Globe:

Wirral Area Commander John Martin: No let-up in battle against yobs

"And people are concerned about exactly the same things they were two years ago.

"Idiots on stolen motorbikes riding up and down the streets, drug-dealing in broad daylight, yobs intimidating people with aggressive behaviour.

"It's interesting and telling that the response from constituents to me is increasing - it's because they are not getting replies from elsewhere."

He continued: "We all know the police are under greater pressure for their time and resources.

"But if Merseyside Police's service to Birkenhead is not to become a complete farce they need to make sure their response matches demand."

Inspector Minnery exclusively told the Globe: "Neighbourhood police in Birkenhead have been working hard to tackle anti-social behaviour in recent months and recently used a number of operations to target anti-social behaviour and linked offences.

"From January 25, a week of action resulted in a targeted multi-agency operation at licenced premises in Birkenhead town centre believed to be linked to anti-social behaviour and violence.

Wirral Globe:

Determined: Birkenhead's Neighbourhood Inspector Georgina Minnery

"During the week, partner agencies assisted in enforcement activity including warrants and licensing visits, and environmental activity such as litter picks.

"Skips were placed in key locations so that items that could be thrown and used to cause criminal damage and anti-social behaviour in those communities could be disposed of.

"Community speeding operations were run in locations requested by residents to reduce incidents of speeding and the anti-social use of scrambler bikes on our roads."

Police also worked with bus companies and train operators to address anti-social behaviour on public transport and in train stations, resulting in arrests and cautions for cannabis possession.

Crime prevention advice and security marking was offered at a series of anti-social behaviour prevention roadshows in the town centre, with crime prevention equipment distributed.

"The theft of motorcycles and scooters and their anti-social misuse is a community concern and officers have participated in an auto crime operation targeting both key locations and suspected offenders," said Insp Minnery.

"This resulted in a number of significant arrests and the seizure of both off-road bikes and stolen bikes.

"Officers also visited motorcycle outlets and the owners of these bikes to provide advice and crime prevention equipment to enable them to better protect their vehicles.

"We have since seen a significant reduction in the theft of motorbikes, both in Birkenhead and across Wirral.

"A week of action to target knife crime also resulted in the surrender of a number of knives and officers gave talks on the subject in local schools.

"Our officers have received numerous complaints about the smell of cannabis and people behaving in an anti-social manner visiting addresses suspected to be dealing, growing and buying drugs."

Several warrants have been executed in the past six weeks, resulting in arrests for drugs offences.

Wirral Globe:

Drug farms have been raided in Birkenhead police campaign

"A cannabis farm was discovered in St Aiden’s Terrace and a quantity of class A and B drugs were recovered from an address in Lansdowne Road, taking those drugs out of the hands of criminals who now won’t be able to profit from inflicting misery on our communities by selling those drugs.

"On Wednesday, February 10, and Thursday, February 11, a total of 11 warrants were executed and ten people were arrested across the Birkenhead area on suspicion of burglary-related offences."

Officers then linked a significant quantity of stolen property to a large number of victims.

Each of the victims has been traced, statements of complaint have been obtained and their property has been returned.

"In the coming months, further weeks of action will take place in Birkenhead as we continue our determined efforts to tackle anti-social behaviour in the area.

"There is of course more that can be done and in addition to the work that we continue to do with our partners we need the help of our communities. "

She stressed to our Birkenhead-based readers: "If you have a problem, I want you to report it.

"If you have information I want you to share it either to one of my team by speaking with your local officer or PCSO.

"Where you report an incident, we will respond; where there is evidence we will pursue the offender through the system.

"We must not be tolerant or accepting of this behaviour.

"Individuals must behave responsibly or face the consequences.

"Parents, carers and families must also be aware of their own responsibilities in discouraging this behaviour."

Call police on the 101 number or report your concerns anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.