Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service has joined forces with the police to tackle antisocial behaviour.

A new taskforce, the firstof its kind in the UK, has been created, bringing together police officers from all disciplines, fire officers, investigators, advocates and the Crown Prosecution Service.

The combined team of over 130, led by Group Manager Chris Case, from MF&RS, and Superintendent John Myles from Merseyside Police, will be available to all areas of Merseyside that experience significant problems with anti-social behaviour.

They will utilise all the very latest law enforcement technology, including ANPR, CCTV head cams and metal detecting gloves alongside traditional policing methods such as low level surveillance and other methods of intelligence gathering methods.

An advanced problem solving team will arrive with the Neighbourhood Policing team, and using the partnerships already in place, will develop a deeper understanding of the specific problem and tailor make an appropriate solution.

That solution will balance an effective quick response to problems while ensuring that long term solutions ‘design out’ crime.

Mike Hagen, Deputy Chief Fire Officer, Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service said: “Anti-social behaviour is a significant problem in many areas and we believe specialist fire service staff working alongside the Police is the best way to tackle a wide range of issues facing many of our communities. “The Fire Service and Police working together has already delivered significantly results in reducing firework misuse on Merseyside and we believe it can do the same with the more complex issues surrounding anti-social behaviour.”

Assistant Chief Constable, Simon Byrne said: “I am really excited by this groundbreaking idea we are acutely aware of how anti-social behaviour can blight communities and people’s lives. We wan to build on what we have learned works to deliver hard-edged and innovative responses to these communities in places that need the most help.

“Pivotal to this will not only be will not only be the relationship with our partners, Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service and other agencies, but also the communities who must be at the heart of solutions that meet their needs. I would urge local people to help us by giving us details of individuals we can target with this new team.”