More about this area

Merseyside Police serves a population of around 1.5 million people. This increases owing to the large student population and visitors to sporting events, conference and exhibition centres, festivals and tourist attractions. The region hosts major ports in addition to high-security prisons and detention centres. Combined, the force manages significant threats and risks which includes regular policing of public order events.

Despite investment, all five local authorities are among the most deprived nationally. Deprivation and high unemployment are underlying factors in the causes of criminality.

The complex policing challenges are reflected in the force’s objectives:

• prevent crime and anti-social behaviour;
• provide visible and accessible neighbourhood policing;
• tackle serious and organised crime;
• support victims and vulnerable people;
• investigate crime and bring offenders to justice; and
• provide specialist capabilities.

Based on the latest full financial year, the force deals with 775,000 calls for service per year, of which approximately 295,000, are 999 calls. On a typical day there will be 461 crimes and 1,024 incidents recorded, 19 people reported missing and approximately 233 vulnerability risk assessments completed. The force also tackles 115 active organised crime groups, whose criminality reach far beyond Merseyside.

The force allocates its resources to meet the significant demands in accordance with daily assessments of threat, harm and risk and by focusing on putting the needs of the community first. The early identification of vulnerability and taking a preventative approach enables the force to provide appropriate support. Balancing these demands with reduced resources and evolving complex crimes presents significant challenges.

Merseyside Police serves a population of around 1.5 million people. This increases owing to the large student population and visitors to sporting events, conference and exhibition centres, festivals and tourist attractions. The region hosts major ports in addition to high-security prisons and detention centres. Combined, the force manages significant threats and risks which includes regular policing of public order events.

Despite investment, all five local authorities are among the most deprived nationally. Deprivation and high unemployment are underlying factors in the causes of criminality.

The complex policing challenges are reflected in the force’s objectives:

• prevent crime and anti-social behaviour;
• provide visible, accessible neighbourhood policing;
• tackle serious and organised crime;
• support victims and vulnerable people;
• investigate crimes and bring offenders to justice; and
• provide specialist capabilities.

The Chief Constable has identified a number of priorities for 2022/23 to enhance service delivery.  They include work to address violence against women and girls, and a focus on inclusion and community engagement to ensure progress towards delivery of the Police Race Action Plan.

On average, the force deals with 750,000 calls for service per year, of which approximately 285,000, are 999 calls. On a typical day there will be 452 crimes and 1,034 incidents recorded, 18 people reported missing and 211 vulnerability risk assessments completed. The force also tackles 134 active organised crime groups, 6.6% of nationally mapped groups whose criminality reach far beyond Merseyside.

The force allocates its resources to meet the significant demands in accordance with daily assessments of threat, harm and risk and by focusing on putting the needs of the community first.  The early identification of vulnerability and taking a preventative approach enables the force to provide appropriate support. Balancing these demands with reduced resources and evolving complex crimes presents significant challenges