This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/merseyside/7180494.stm
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Raids to target gang drug supply | Raids to target gang drug supply |
| (about 6 hours later) | |
| Thirty-two people have been arrested after drugs and guns were seized by police in a series of dawn raids to target two notorious rival gangs. | |
| Four guns, a silencer, ammunition, class A drugs and about £15,000 in cash were found. | Four guns, a silencer, ammunition, class A drugs and about £15,000 in cash were found. |
| The operation targeted two of the city's major criminal groups - the Croxteth Crew and The Strand Gang. | The operation targeted two of the city's major criminal groups - the Croxteth Crew and The Strand Gang. |
| Police believe they are responsible for the supply of drugs including cocaine, heroin and ecstasy. | Police believe they are responsible for the supply of drugs including cocaine, heroin and ecstasy. |
| The raids, on 31 addresses, were carried out following 12 months of undercover surveillance on suspects and their houses. | The raids, on 31 addresses, were carried out following 12 months of undercover surveillance on suspects and their houses. |
| Gang killing | Gang killing |
| Supt Richardson said it was "highly likely" that many of those arrested would be charged. | Supt Richardson said it was "highly likely" that many of those arrested would be charged. |
| "Members of these gangs are causing some people's lives to be a misery in Croxteth and Norris Green. | "Members of these gangs are causing some people's lives to be a misery in Croxteth and Norris Green. |
| "And we will make a significant impact against gun and drug criminality." | "And we will make a significant impact against gun and drug criminality." |
| Detectives believe murdered schoolboy Rhys Jones was an innocent victim caught up in a feud between the Croxteth Crew and Strand Gang when he was shot in the neck outside the Fir Tree pub in August. | Detectives believe murdered schoolboy Rhys Jones was an innocent victim caught up in a feud between the Croxteth Crew and Strand Gang when he was shot in the neck outside the Fir Tree pub in August. |
| In November three gang members were convicted of murdering Strand Gang member Liam Smith, 19, who was shot in the head as he left Altcourse Prison in 2006. | In November three gang members were convicted of murdering Strand Gang member Liam Smith, 19, who was shot in the head as he left Altcourse Prison in 2006. |
| Ch Supt Tony Doherty, head of Force Operations, said: "People do have a choice. | Ch Supt Tony Doherty, head of Force Operations, said: "People do have a choice. |
| "They can live next door to drug dealers who have a constant stream of people knocking on their door for their latest supplies and causing problems for them and their families. | "They can live next door to drug dealers who have a constant stream of people knocking on their door for their latest supplies and causing problems for them and their families. |
| "Or, if they don't want their children or grandchildren growing up in this sort of environment, they can make a stand." | "Or, if they don't want their children or grandchildren growing up in this sort of environment, they can make a stand." |