A large police operation in Liverpool has seen hundreds of officers descend on the city, smashing in doors. Merseyside Police are carrying out a large-scale policing operation, codenamed Operation Vanguard, with over 300 officers deployed to Anfield and other parts of the city.

People living in the area will see officers from numerous teams, including Matrix, County Lines, dog and mounted police, and underwater search teams, undertake what is being described as a “sustained and relentless offensive” against criminals. Merseyside Police confirmed 230 officers were involved in the first wave of the raids, executing 36 warrants and targeting 46 suspects. Police said Operation Vanguard reinforces their commitment to keeping communities safe by “taking strong action” against those involved in criminality.

Police have been actively targeting those driving serious and organised criminality in Anfield as part of the Evolve Everton-Vauxhall Clear and Hold phases, which have focused on seizing drugs, weapons and illicit cash.

Chief Constable Rob Carden said: “This is the second time we have implemented Operation Vanguard in Merseyside and shows our determination to take those involved in criminality off the streets.

“The scale and impact of today’s operation should leave criminals in absolutely no doubt – we are here, we are watching, and if you are involved in criminality, you can expect a knock on your door.

“This morning warrants have been carried out, and throughout the day our roads policing teams will be stopping cars believed to be used in criminality and taking action against drink and drug users.

“A number of searches will be carried out, including searches by the North West Underwater Search Team.

Describing the operation as a show of “utter contempt” for those involved in criminality, Chief Con Carden continued: “While today shows our clear intention to deal with criminality on our streets using all the resources we have to hand, it firmly supports the activity that our officers and dedicated teams carry out every day of the year to keep our communities safe.

“We are stop searching suspects every day, conducting warrants at their homes and searching their properties and stopping their cars. We want to improve the lives of the decent law-abiding people in our communities and the work being undertaken today and across the year would not be possible without people having the strength to come forward.

“I want to take this opportunity to urge members of the public to keep telling us where criminals are operating, where they are storing and carrying drugs and weapons, and I promise we will use all the powers and tools at our disposal to take robust action.”

Liverpool City Council leader, Liam Robinson said: “It is essential our communities feel safe in their homes and can enjoy everything their local area has to offer without worry or fear.

“We work closely with Merseyside Police throughout the year on a range of community safety initiatives that support residents and help prevent criminality. The action being taken by Merseyside Police today is vital to protecting our neighbourhoods and preventing harm.

“I want to thank Merseyside Police and all our partners for their hard work and dedication in delivering this operation. To those involved in criminality, today’s activity demonstrates there is no hiding place. The safety and wellbeing of our communities will always come first.”