Raids to target gang drug supply

Police believe the gangs are supplying class A drugs in the city

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.

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.

The raids, on 31 addresses, were carried out following 12 months of undercover surveillance on suspects and their houses.

Gang killing

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.

"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.

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.

"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."