TWO knives were recovered as a “gully sucker” was used to search for weapons dropped down drains.

Searches took place in St Helens as part of Operation Vermont, which involved teams from across Merseyside Police tackling serious and violent crime.

Police say they worked with St Helens Borough Council, to deploy a gully sucker, which helps to recover weapons and drugs put down drains.

St Helens Star:

A gully sucker was used to search drains

The search recovered two knives.

The council driver also handed over two other blades which had been recovered earlier this week.

Divers also searched the Hotties canal and mounted police patrolled the town centre, as part of the offensive.

The operation comes at a time when some businesses continue to express concerns over levels of crime and anti-social behaviour in St Helens town centre.

St Helens Star:

Police divers at the Hotties canal
 

Thursday’s operation also saw officers on quad bikes in the town centre positioned to tackle any issues with off-road bikes.

In a statement police said: “We also conducted open land searches, which can lead to the recovery of weapons and drugs which criminals sometimes cache for later.

“We conduct these regularly to ensure that there's no hiding place for such items.

“We also called on the services of North West Police Divers who conducted an underwater search of part of the canal network.

“These divers help us to locate items which may have been disposed of by criminals which could provide us with vital evidence."

St Helens Star:

Mounted Police on patrol in Victoria Square


Anyone with information that can help police tackle violent crime, can get in touch with via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, or contact our Contact Centre at Merseyside Police Contact Centre. On