MERSEYSIDE Police has been urged to rethink priorities after a “noticeable crime upturn” in a wealthy Wirral area saw it blighted by public sex acts, drugs, assault and knife attacks.

The police and crime commissioner has been asked by councillors for the West Kirby area to review its approach, with a notice of motion for a meeting next week coming after concerns were raised by local residents.

The area’s elected Tory councillors Tony Cox and Andrew Gardner say too much is being spent on investigating online crime in the area, with not enough focus on “real world” offences. They described the current situation as a “ridiculous state of affairs”.

They also say the area, which has some of the most expensive streets on Merseyside, currently doesn’t get the same level of policing as others across the region, and that the situation must change.

Police and Crime commissioner Jane Kennedy responded by saying the force was aware of the issues and that arrests have been made and high visibility patrols put in place.

Speaking ahead of the meeting, Cllr Cox said: “[Crime in West Kirby] is really escalating and if we don’t nip it in the bud it can only get worse.

“Local residents are calling for action. They deserve the same level of policing as the rest of Merseyside that places like Birkenhead town centre and Liverpool get.

“Hoylake, Meols and West Kirby have been identified by these people as a place you can go and have free reign and it’s not getting the focus level of policing it deserves.”

While Cllr Cox said the force had stepped up patrols in the area in recent times and that was “commendable”, he added: “We are keeping the pressure on them. More must be done.

“As a party, we recognise that resources are tight, but there are more police resources per capita now than there were in the 1960s.

“The focus on what policing is there for is being eroded.”

The notice of motion, addressed to Jane Kennedy, will be discussed at the full council meeting on December 10.

It said: “As the person with sole responsibility for policing priority in Merseyside, council recognises that the position of police and crime commissioner is an onerous role.

“Council also recognises the fact that, nationally, there are now more police officers per capita than there where in the 1960s. In fact, in 1961 it was 807 people for every officer and now it is just 462 people for every officer.”

The motion, which was seconded by Cllr Gardner, added that many of the online offences that include allegations of social media bullying are often dismissed “with few prosecutions brought, and not enough [focus] on ‘real world’ crime”.

He cited “notable” figures like Sara Thornton, head of the National Police Chiefs’ Council, who recently said she wanted to “bear down on violence” before making records of incidents “that are not crimes”.

Cllr Cox added: “It would seem that senior police officials are finally breaking rank and calling out the current, ridiculous state of affairs.

“With a noticeable upturn in crime in the West Kirby area – from criminal damage, sexual acts in public, assault and even a knife attack – Council believes that Wirral residents deserve the same level of policing focus as the rest of Merseyside.

“Therefore, Council calls upon the PCC, Jane Kennedy, to review the priorities she sets her Police Force in order to deal with the crimes that really hurt people.

“The crimes that have people fearful in their own home and in their communities – criminal damage, burglary, theft and violent crime – and to bring some perspective and common sense back to policing.”

Responding to the comments, Merseyside’s Police Commissioner Jane Kennedy said: “Tackling crime and anti-social behaviour is one of the policing priorities I set for Merseyside Police after a detailed consultation with the public.

“These issues are taken very seriously and I would encourage residents and councillors to report any incidents to Merseyside Police.

“We are aware of the concerns raised in West Kirby and, in June, my Deputy, Cllr Emily Spurrell joined local policing representatives at a public meeting hosted by Margaret Greenwood MP, to listen to the views of local people and to highlight the efforts that are being made to address these issues.

“I know the local policing team have taken on board all the information they received, a number of arrests have been made and orders have also been secured through the courts and high visibility patrols were put in place.

“The Force works closely with partners, particularly Wirral Council’s ASB team, to put measures in place to identify and address the underlying causes which lead to crimes taking place.”

She also said she wanted councillors to note the cuts to police imposed by the government since 2010, which has “reduced the size of Merseyside Police by nearly a quarter”.

She added: “Perhaps, instead of criticising their over-stretched and under-resourced local police force, they should be supporting both the police and their communities by lobbying their colleagues in cabinet to properly fund this most essential of public services.

“The comments comparing police numbers with 1961 demonstrate a complete failure to understand the risk and challenges that a modern police force faces. The comments regarding ‘minor’ online offences are so vague that they do not merit a response.”