FIFTEEN people were arrested for a variety of offences and a cannabis farm was dismantled as part of a campaign targeting crime and disorder in Wirral today.

Police carried out drugs warrants, open land searches and roadside checks in Birkenhead and Tranmere as part of Operation Target.

There were also high-visibility and plain clothes patrols around the area of Mersey Park and Victoria Park.

Officers carried out five warrants, 30 stop searches and two open land searches.

They arrested 15 people for a variety of offences including robbery, burglary, and shop theft.

Drugs were seized and a cannabis farm dismantled.

A lockdown of the Beechwood estate was carried out.

More than 50 driver notices were issued as part of a joint roadside operation with the Driving Standards Agency.

Targeted policing chief inspector Steve Brizell said: "We are continuing with these days of action because we know they are successful and members of the public are pleased to see our officers on the streets.

"We make no apologies for using all our available tactics to target those who are responsible for criminality in Merseyside.

"Targetting serious violence is a key objective of Operation Target but we also know that other issues such as drug dealing, antisocial behaviour and low level criminality all impact on our communities and can be directly linked to violent crime.

"The welfare of our communities and those who live in them are our priority and we will continue to take action such as this so people can go about their day to day business in peace and without fear of crime.

"A lot of the action we carry out is as a direct result of information we have received and I would continue to ask the public to support us in what we are doing - tell us where weapons are being stored and who is dealing drugs in your neighbourhood so we can take action."

Anyone with information can DM @MerPolCC, call 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.