02-05-2025
Boy, 13, arrested after assaulting Police Officer during Stop and Search crackdown in Kirkby
A 13-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of assaulting a police officer as part of a major crackdown on crime in Kirkby.
The teenager was detained after allegedly kicking an officer in the leg while being transported in a police car following a report of anti-social behaviour near a fast food restaurant.
Merseyside Police confirmed the arrest was made as part of an ongoing Section 60 order, which was introduced in the area after two teenagers were stabbed earlier this week.
A Section 60 Order allows officers to stop and search people without reasonable suspicion in a designated area to help prevent serious violence.
Officers had been called to Popeyes, on the Academy Business Park, after reports that a group of youths were causing a disturbance. When police arrived, they were met with threats and verbal abuse. Two boys were taken home by officers, but one continued to be abusive inside the patrol car and is then said to have assaulted an officer.
The 13-year-old from Kirkby was arrested on suspicion of assaulting an emergency worker and using threatening and abusive behaviour. He remains in custody.
A second youth was found with a small quantity of suspected cannabis and was taken home after being spoken to by officers.
The incidents come during a heightened police presence in the Tower Hill and Westvale areas following a double stabbing on Whitefield Drive on Wednesday 30 April. A 15-year-old boy and a 14-year-old girl remain in hospital in a serious but stable condition.
Since the Section 60 powers came into effect on Thursday 1 May, officers have carried out 68 stop and searches, made four arrests, seized drugs, and issued community resolution orders.
One man was stopped near the scene of the stabbing and found carrying a snooker ball wrapped in a sock. An 18-year-old was arrested on suspicion of possessing an offensive weapon.
Chief Inspector Ray Mavrakakis from Merseyside Police said: "We've already seen a number of positive results and this will continue now that the Section 60 has been extended for 24 hours.
"I hope the activity demonstrates very clearly that there is simply no hiding place for anyone who brings misery to our communities."
The enhanced stop and search powers are now in place until 6pm on Saturday 3 May and cover the areas of Tower Hill and Westvale.
