With Christmas just around the corner and people across Merseyside looking forward to enjoying festive cheer in town centres, Merseyside Police has launched the regional Winter of Action.
The Home Office initiative, which takes place between 1 December and 31 January 2026, is a major policing push to keep town centres safe during and beyond the festive season by tackling crime, reassuring communities, and ensuring our high streets are welcoming and safe for everyone.
To shows its commitment to the plan, Merseyside Police gathered with representatives from local authorities and the Police and Crime Commissioner Emily Spurrell at Everton Park to mark the start of the coming months of close partnership working.
Cllr Shelley Powell, Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods, said: “Delivered in partnership with Merseyside Police, the Winter of Action campaign will build upon the success of Safer Streets Summer, supporting our town centre businesses, residents, shoppers and visitors.
“Together with the interventions that had a positive impact over the summer, such as maximising existing powers to tackle anti-social behaviour, there will also be greater emphasis placed on preventing violence against women and girls and ensuring the safety of all residents during the winter months.”
Karl Baldwin, Local Policing Superintendent for Knowsley, said: “In terms of retail crime, we’ve been making real progress in Knowsley’s town centres. It’s been one of our primary areas of focus across the last few months, so I’m pleased to be able to commit to carrying on that work through the winter.
“However, we are beginning to see parcel thefts increase again. In the run-up to Christmas, it isn’t unexpected, and as in previous years, we’re taking steps to tackle it. I would urge people, though, to make full use of parcel lockers whenever possible. If for some reason that’s not an option, at least leaving instructions for parcels to be left out of sight.
“Also, ahead of Christmas, I’d like to ask parents who are considering buying an electric bike for their children to be sure, firstly, that the one they’re planning to buy is road-legal and to consider buying a tracker with it. These bikes can be incredibly expensive, and if it gets stolen, it’s much easier for us to recover it if there’s a tracker.
“The Winter of Action is a great opportunity for my team and I to seamlessly continue the hard work of 2025 straight through into 2026, laying a solid foundation for town centres where people can live, work and thrive.”
Emily Spurrell said: “This summer, through Safer Streets, we showed the power of partnership – from visible patrols to community engagement, we made real progress in reducing anti-social behaviour and increasing public confidence.
“Winter of Action builds on those achievements, taking that momentum into the festive season and beyond.
“Together with Merseyside Police, local councils, and our community partners, we will deliver targeted patrols, prevention measures, and youth diversion activities, all designed to keep our town centres safe and vibrant.
“This is about standing alongside our communities – listening to local voices, supporting businesses, and making sure everyone can enjoy the festive season feeling safe and supported.”
Knowsley Council is working alongside local police to make our town centres safer and more welcoming. This includes the use of local powers like licensing and planning to support enforcement, deploying tools such as Public Spaces Protection Orders and Community Protection Notices to tackle anti-social behaviour, and improving public spaces through better lighting and cleanliness. This supports our priority which is to keep communities safe.
Merseyside Police will be posting regular Winter of Action updates on social media and is encouraging the public to follow along to see the work going on in their Local Policing Area.