54 arrested in swoop on suspected drug dealers

Sellers of the Big Issue were among 54 people arrested by Merseyside Police today in a crackdown on drug dealing in Liverpool city centre.

Operation Manton targeted suspected drug dealers and drug users and 50 men and four women were arrested following a 15-month long investigation by Merseyside Police into drug dealing on the city's streets. Police officers also recovered 29 wraps of Class A drugs and 40 wraps of crack cocaine, a replica handgun, a sword and a number of knives.

Amongst those arrested today are a number of homeless people and Big Issue sellers.

The operation involved approximately 200 Merseyside Police Officers and is supported by the Drug Alcohol Action Team (DAAT).

Superintendent Alan Cooper, who is in charge of operations at Liverpool North, said: "This operation is the culmination of a comprehensive investigation, which we embarked upon following concerns raised by city centre businesses, shoppers and general community.

"It soon became apparent that the main concern would centre upon aggressive begging and acquisitive crime, but it was clear that many of the people who were being complained about were also dealing in drugs on the city's streets."

Superintendent Cooper added: "We will never be complacent about drug dealing and we are determined to break the link between drugs and crime."

Police have appealed to anyone who has any information about crime or drug dealing in the city centre to contact them.

Paul Rice, City Centre Manager, said: "This is a major step forward in creating a cleaner, safer and, more attractive city centre. All of our surveys with both businesses and city centre users over the last couple of years have highlighted the activities of aggressive beggars as the major detraction from the city centre."

(gmcg)