Wirral's superintendent answers readers' questions

Supt Matthew Moscrop gives our reporters quarterly updates on what is being done to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour across the borough.

Last week we invited our reader to ask questions on a range of topics for the session that took place this morning (Tuesday, November 12). The questions and answers are below:

The first, from Paul Carruthers, related to Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs).

It read: "Why just make West Kirby a 'no face covering' zone and not other areas in the Wirral. Birkenhead and Rock Ferry (amongst other surrounding areas) have a high number of young lads riding around on electric and or motorbikes with no helmets, faces covered disturbing traffic whilst popping wheelies up and down the road as well as intimidating the public? This is happening daily and nothing or no one seems to be doing anything about it."

Supt Matthew Moscrop said in response: "Public Spaces Protection Orders, such as the one in place for West Kirby, are put in place by Wirral Council, not Merseyside Police. Extensive work takes place to ensure they are appropriate. This includes consultation with police and the public.

"PSPOs are useful, but they are just one of several options to address the issues raised. Local officers and road policing specialists are deployed to deal with the illegal and anti-social use of motorbikes.

"Public information about where these motorbikes/electric bikes are stored helps us to deal with this problem."  

Reader: "You claim there has been reduction in knife crime over the last 12 months. This is not true. There is a knife crime epidemic all over Wirral in particular in Birkenhead and the surrounding areas. Despite having clear as day video footage of numerous incidents in which the same named gang are stabbing multiple innocent young men due to postcodes and videoing it and laughing whilst committing these horrific offences you haven’t arrested any of the offenders.

"What are doing to get these animals off our streets and keep our children safe?"

In response to concerns about a 'knife crime epidemic', Supt Moscrop replied: "This is simply not true. There was a reduction in knife crime in Wirral over the last financial year. There has been a slight increase in recent months, but we are relentless in our approach to tackling knife crime.

"We use every opportunity to identify and prosecute offenders. Several people have been sentenced in recent months and others are on bail. Recent activity includes an arrest yesterday (11th November 2024) in connection with the stabbing at the weekend.

"We also seek to prevent offences through a range of tactics, such as a ‘hot spot’ policing approach targeting areas of greatest concern. This work has seen reductions in serious violence of over 65% in our locations of greatest concern.

"Our ability to search people for knives has been enhanced by our use of Serious Violence Reduction Orders. These allow us to search people who have been issued with an order following a conviction for an offence involving a bladed item or offensive weapon.

"To prevent knife crime we are also tackling the online sale and distribution of knives, carrying out weapons sweeps, running knife surrender schemes and working with children in Wirral’s schools.

"We are also working closely with other partners. Wirral Council’s Serious Violence Summit in July saw Wirral Council, Merseyside Police and a range of other organisations come together to share an understanding of knife crime and identify opportunities to tackle it.

"If you have information about someone carrying a knife or know someone involved in crime, you can report any concerns on 999 if a crime is in progress, via 101, or our social media desk via X on @MerPolCC. You can also pass information via Crimestoppers anonymously."

Wirral superintendent Matthew Moscrop (Image: Merseyside Police) Kirsty Macdonald asked: "I have twice tried to use the online service to report issue in the last few years. I have never had a response. I thought that I would be saving time by using this service. The most recent was in September. Is it police policy to reply to the reports made online?" 

Answer: "All online reports are assessed and contact is made with the reporting person if they are a victim of crime.

"If a person is reporting a general issue, rather than one which directly relates to them, there may not be an update. Without details of the specific case, I am unable to establish if this issue was not responded to appropriately. If the reader’s details can be shared, I shall look into this further."

Steph wrote: "We at Fender Farm encounter fireworks year after year despite the wording of the animal welfare act claiming it's illegal to set off fireworks near livestock. The housing estates surrounding us have only gone up in the past 20years and less.

"We do a leaflet drop every year in all the estates but it never changes. Suggestions on what we can do would be great and anything you can also do to help."

In response, Supt Moscrop answered: "The Halloween and Bonfire Night period is one of the busiest times of the year for Merseyside Police. We work with Wirral Council, Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service and a wide range of other partners to tackle crime, anti-social behaviour and risk associated with the period.

"This includes efforts to identify and deal with those setting off fireworks anti-socially or in contravention of the law e.g. causing unnecessary suffering to livestock. The government has published advice with the Blue Cross on reducing animal harm or distress from fireworks.

"I will report your concerns to our planning team to see if there is anything further we can do next year."

Wirral superintendent Matthew Moscrop (Image: Merseyside Police) John Ellis asked: "Recently during a public Q&A with the Merseyside Police and Crime commissioner a question was asked about how the police dealt with fully licensed and prescribed medical cannabis users when stopped. The initial response sent back to the constituent who asked the question has lead them to believe that they must now purchase a card from a private 3rd party company to prove they have a valid medical prescription.

"Cancard is for people who are NOT under supervised medical services.

"The question and answer which sparks my question is: 'Commissioner asked Merseyside Police to provide written answers to the public scrutiny questions as the September meeting ran out of time.

"We have now received a response from the police which we provide below.

"Question: "What training do Police Officers receive in relation to medical use of cannabis?

"Answer: In Initial Training, student officers have taught sessions delivered on cannabis and the in/out of court disposal methods available to officers. This now includes options of how to deal with members of the public who have been prescribed medicinal cannabis. Members of the public who have been prescribed medicinal cannabis should be in possession of a CanCard (UK) which may help the officers in deciding how to progress the matter. This is something that is delivered during student officers initial training period at the start of their career. This is not a stand alone lesson, but part of a discussion during the drugs input.

"We hope this is of assistance. Should you require anything further, please do not hesitate to contact us.'

The actual answer is a copy of your prescription, medication in prescription container with label and photo ID if required.

So my question in relation to the above FOI is: 'what is the actual policy that Merseyside police follow, does it provide adequate protection for patients and disabled people especially as soon in many areas they will outnumber illegal users I know amongst my friends and age group this is true 6-1 legal v illegal?

'Will the police to save waste of tax payer funding begin to allow patients to voluntarily submit to a database to prevent unnecessary problems and discrimination from officers that do not fully understand the process.

'Patients who may, I add, are also to be included in the fall of cannabis dealing on the Wirral because patient advocates like myself have moved the majority of people we know into the legal medical markets.

'All patients with valid prescriptions have live portals that show all prescriptions issued so 24/7 validation and payment details are always at hand, local GP's have a copy of everything prescribed as it has to be officially registered.'

In reply, Supt Moscrop said: "We are not able to create a database of patients using cannabis for a multitude of reasons. Those possessing a cannabis-based product for medicinal use must provide proof of a prescription and ID, or show the dispensing label attached to the medicine."

We had many questions submitted and plan to have them answered at the next quarterly meeting is due to take place in the New Year. If you have any questions on that you would like to be considered, email them to craig.manning@nqnw.co.uk

Merseyside Police is holding ‘Wirral Online Community Advisory Meeting’ that we have coming up on Wednesday, December 4 between 6 pm-7 pm.

It is described as 'a chance for members of the community to virtually meet with local officers, share their priorities for the local area and contribute thoughts on how crime prevention can be improved'. to attend the online meeting, email Wirral.cag@merseyside.police.uk to receive the dial-in details.