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Crime Report

Force’s crime prevention rated ‘outstanding’

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Merseyside Police has been praised for preventing crime, but inspectors said it must improve investigations and outcomes for victims. Michelle Skeer, His Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Constabulary, said she was pleased with its performance in “keeping people safe, reducing crime and giving victims an effective service”. However she added: “I have concerns about how the force is investigating crime.” The force has received an “outstanding” rating for its preventing and deterring crime but its crime investigation “requires improvement”. It was also rated good for leadership and force management, using powers fairly and developing a diverse and inclusive workforce. Responding to the public, safeguarding, managing fraud and providing safe custody were all graded adequate. No areas were graded inadequate.

Crime Report

Academies ‘must’ engage with knife crime discussion

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The mother of Harvey Willgoose has welcomed a government commitment to look at improving school access to anti-knife crime projects. In a meeting with the policing minister, Caroline Willgoose spoke of her pledge to continue to campaign to improve education into the dangers of knives in schools. Caroline, whose 15-year-old son was fatally stabbed to death at All Saints Catholic High School in Sheffield, said she’s been met with resistance to engage – particularly from academies worried about their “reputation”. Policing minister Sarah Jones vowed to work with the education minister to address some of the “barriers” that Willgoose and other campaigners have faced. Since her son was killed in February 2025, Caroline has campaigned to introduce knife arches into schools and has handed out first aid bleed kits. In September she will take part in a BBC Radio Sheffield-hosted anti-knife crime tour of schools. The tour will see Caroline and breakfast presenter Ellie Colton talking in front of school pupils about the dangers of knife crime, with the event also showing interviews with Harvey’s friends and messages from South Yorkshire Police officers. The majority of academies “declined” the offer of being part of the tour, Caroline said.

Crime Report

Attempted murder charge after ‘hate crime’ attack

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A teenager has been charged with attempted murder after a 50-year-old man was seriously attacked in what police said they were now treating as a hate crime. A homophobic remark was allegedly made during Sunday’s assault on the victim, understood to be Sikh, on St Paul’s Road, Smethwick, West Midlands Police said. There was no evidence that the attack was motivated by race or religion, they added. The 17-year-old appeared before magistrates in Birmingham today and was remanded into youth detention, to next appear at Birmingham Crown Court on 17 July, the force said. The victim remained in hospital and was in a critical but stable condition, they added. A second 17-year-old boy was arrested following the attack, on Friday morning in the Dudley area, on suspicion of attempted murder. He would be questioned in due course, detectives said. The BBC has seen video footage filmed in the aftermath of the attack that showed an injured man being helped by members of the public. Ch Supt Kim Madill said: “I know the real concern and anger that this attack has caused in the area. “I’ve been in touch with representatives from the community throughout the week to reassure them that we are doing everything we can to establish what happened and who was responsible.” Anyone who might have been in the Tollhouse Way or St Paul’s area at the time or who had any information about the attack was urged by officers to contact them.

Crime Report

Licence restrictions considered to tackle crime

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Two Surrey  are considering tighter licensing restrictions on pubs, clubs and takeaways to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour. Woking Borough Council (WBC) has launched a consultation on its existing Saturation Zone, also known as a Cumulative Impact Assessment (CIA), which allows it to refuse new licences in parts of the town centre. Epsom and Ewell Borough Council (EEBC) is also due to decide next month whether to introduce a Special Stress Area covering parts of Epsom town centre. Woking and Epsom have been identified by Surrey Police as hotspots for anti-social behaviour and violence, alongside Guildford, Knaphill, Redhill, Staines and Camberley, a council report said. The existing Saturation Zone means Woking Borough Council can refuse applications for new licences The consultation for Woking, which originally introduced a CIA in 2007 and expanded it in 2009, will finish on 24 July. The zone includes Victoria Way, Chertsey Road, Stanley Road, The Broadway and High Street, as well as Goldsworth Road and Church Street West. It means that applications for new licences, variations to existing ones or new club premises certificates are likely to be refused by the council. Licensed premises include businesses that sell alcohol, provide hot food and drink between 23:00 and 05:00 BST, or provide music, sport or performances.

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