POLICE have been conducting searches and using 'knife wands' in Birkenhead as part of an operation to tackle serious crime.

Officers have been working with YMCA Wirral today (Saturday) in a bid to reduce violence and anti-social behaviour in central Birkenhead as part of Operation Target.

Officers have been conducting knife wanding, area searches, and offering a knife amnesty in the area.

Operation Target is a major policing operation, which aims to tackle serious and violent crime, putting the people responsible behind bars.