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Residents in Rock Ferry have shared their views on crime in the area after Merseyside Police introduced enhanced stop and search powers earlier this month, as reported by Birkenhead News.
The Section 60 order, which ran until 15 July, gave officers extended powers to stop and search people in response to reports of criminality and anti-social behaviour. Extra officers were also deployed to patrol the streets. The police have now introduced a similar order, but a dispersal zone, in Birkenhead, active until tomorrow at 2 pm for similar reasons.
Resident Stephen Robinson was keen to defend the area's reputation, arguing crime is "just a part of life," he told Birkenhead News. "You see crime everywhere. It's not only an issue in Rock Ferry." He claimed the area is not as bad as other places in the region, such as Kensington in Liverpool.
With schools now broken up for summer, Robinson said he expects to see more young people on the streets. "There's nothing better for them to do," he added.
Danielle Morgan said: "It's just Rock Ferry. It never changes. You see kids going round on scrambler bikes. But you see that in other places too; it's no different to anywhere else."
Julie Leech said she often sees people who are clearly on drugs but had not noticed an increase in crime. "No more, no less," she added.
One man shared more serious concerns with the publication. He explained there had been a stabbing not far from where he lives. But when asked about the police's extra powers, he said: "It shouldn't have to be down to the police. It should be down to the people to be good people."
Local Policing Sergeant Matthew Luxton said when announcing the measures in a statement: "We're introducing this Section 60 Order as an extra response and provide us with the powers needed to stop and search people in the area following reports of anti-social behaviour and criminality.
He continued, "Our highly visible police presence is a proactive approach to prevent such incidents from taking place, and to provide reassurance to the vast majority of law-abiding people in the community."
He concluded by saying it isn't the intent to bother Rockferry residents "going about their daily business" or stopping friend meetups. It's about taking action to prevent incidents and ensuring residents feel safe in the area.
According to Merseyside Police, 154 crimes were recorded and reported in June 2026 in Rockferry.
