Merseyside Police announced on 5 February 2026 that Operation Shepherd — its force‑wide winter safety campaign — has resulted in more than 1,000 arrests across Merseyside, with a substantial proportion of high‑visibility activity and enforcement focused on Kirkby Town Centre.
The campaign, known as Operation Shepherd, has targeted a range of offences including burglary, robbery, retail theft and drug‑related offending. Officers have also increased vehicle stops and checks to detect drink‑ and drug‑driving as part of the initiative.
Police activity in Kirkby has concentrated on the town centre to respond to local concerns about intimidating behaviour and rising retail theft. Kirkby’s 2025 crime rate was recorded at 86 crimes per 1,000 people — higher than the Merseyside average of 80 per 1,000 — and the area saw more frequent use of stop‑and‑search powers (including Section 60 orders) in 2025.
This operation is the first major operational success for Chief Constable Rob Carden since he took command in September 2025. A local shop owner said: “The town centre feels different this winter. You can’t walk 200 yards without seeing a yellow jacket. For the first time in years, the balance of power is shifting away from the gangs.”
Merseyside Police and Crime Commissioner Emily Spurrell said arresting suspected offenders remains important, but the force is working with Knowsley Council to turn enforcement into long‑term reductions through community interventions. The safety push began on 1 December 2025 and is scheduled to continue until the end of February 2026.
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