A 19-year-old man from Crosby has been arrested in Whiston following a police chase that ended in Stadt Moers Park. The arrest was made after a specialist police dog, PD Mizz, located a metal bar and a mobile phone hidden beneath a fallen tree.
The incident occurred in the early hours of Tuesday, September 16, and is linked to Merseyside Police's ongoing Safer Streets initiative, aimed at reducing crime in local communities.
Key Takeaways
- A 19-year-old man was arrested in Whiston after fleeing from police on a bicycle.
- The chase ended in Stadt Moers Park, where the suspect was detained.
- Police Dog Mizz was crucial in locating a discarded metal bar and a mobile phone.
- The man was arrested on suspicion of possessing an offensive weapon and drug supply offences.
- The operation is part of the wider Safer Streets Summer campaign across Merseyside.
Early Morning Pursuit in Whiston
The event began at approximately 12:50 am on Tuesday morning. Officers from Merseyside Police were patrolling in an unmarked vehicle on Cross Lane, Whiston, when they approached a man on a bicycle.
According to police reports, officers requested the cyclist to stop. The man ignored the instruction and instead cycled away at high speed, entering the nearby Stadt Moers Park.
The initial officers pursued the suspect while alerting other patrols in the area to coordinate a response. By setting up a watch at the park's exit gates, police were able to intercept and detain the man as he attempted to leave the area.
Suspect Detained at Park Exit
When officers apprehended the suspect, they noted he no longer had the bicycle with him. A preliminary search of the individual yielded no incriminating items, which prompted police to call for additional support.
Coordinated Policing Strategy
The successful detention of the suspect highlights a coordinated approach, combining unmarked patrols with rapid communication to other units. This strategy is often used to contain suspects within a specific area, such as a park, to prevent their escape into residential streets.
Police Dog Mizz Leads the Search
With the suspect detained but key evidence missing, officers brought in a specialist from the canine unit, Police Dog Mizz. The dog was tasked with retracing the route the man had taken through the park after abandoning his bicycle.
PD Mizz began tracking the scent from where the man had entered the wooded area. The dog's search led officers away from the main path and toward a fallen tree deeper within the woods.
The Role of a Police Dog
Police dogs like Mizz are trained to detect human scent, drugs, and other specific items. Their sense of smell is estimated to be between 10,000 to 100,000 times more acute than that of humans, making them invaluable for locating evidence that might otherwise be missed.
At the fallen tree, officers discovered the items the suspect had allegedly discarded during the pursuit. A metal bar was found alongside a mobile phone which, according to police, was ringing repeatedly at the time of its discovery.
Arrest and Charges
Following the discovery of the weapon and phone, the 19-year-old man from Crosby was formally arrested. A spokesperson for Merseyside Police confirmed the arrest was made on two grounds.
The suspect was arrested on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon in a public place and for being concerned in the supply of a Class B drug (cannabis). He was taken into custody for questioning.
Police Statement on Community Safety
Inspector Brian Loughran of the Knowsley Targeted Policing team commented on the arrest, emphasizing its importance in the broader effort to combat drug-related crime.
“I hope this arrest demonstrates how committed officers in our communities are to protecting the public from the harm caused by people suspected of supplying illegal drugs. The supply of illicit drugs relies on threats, intimidation and violence to exist. Every time a suspect is detained, and drugs and weapons are seized, their harmful activities are disrupted and our streets are made safer.”
Inspector Loughran also urged the public to continue reporting any suspicious activity, stating that every piece of information helps police disrupt criminal networks.
“We take all reports related to the dealing of drugs extremely seriously,” he added. “Every report made to us is another opportunity for us to make life extremely difficult for those offenders who bring nothing but misery to the communities we live in.”
Part of the Safer Streets Initiative
This police action is part of the ongoing Safer Streets Summer initiative, a campaign running throughout September across Merseyside. The initiative involves increased high-visibility patrols in areas identified as hotspots for serious violence, anti-social behaviour, theft, and robbery.
The campaign itself is a component of the national Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee announced by the government earlier this year. This guarantee promises that every neighbourhood in England and Wales will have dedicated policing teams focused on community patrol and presence, especially in town centres and known hotspot areas during peak times.
How to Report Information
Merseyside Police encourages anyone with information on drug supply or other criminal activity to come forward. There are several ways to report concerns:
- Contact the Merseyside Police social media desk on X (formerly Twitter) at @MerPolCC or on Facebook.
- Use the online reporting tool on the Merseyside Police website.
- Call the non-emergency number 101.
- To remain completely anonymous, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via their secure online form.