A senior Merseyside Police officer said the recent wave of violence in the region has been taken really seriously and officers will continue to step up their efforts.
Assistant Chief Constable Paul White was speaking with the ECHO at Merseyside Police's HQ following the shocking news an officer was dragged along by a van after trying to carry out a search of the vehicle. Assistant Chief Constable White was asked by the ECHO if the police were concerned with the recent wave of violent acts across Merseyside.
As well as the assault on the officer there have been four murder investigations across Merseyside in just over a week. Police have recently launched murder probes in Fazakerley, Huyton, Birkenhead and Tuebrook.
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The assistant chief constable told the ECHO: "Merseyside Police will always take those types of incidents really seriously. But as you've seen we've had some really comprehensive investigations in relation to a number of serious incidents that I'm glad has resulted in a number of charges. Merseyside Police will continue that effort."
The first murder investigation police launched was on Sunday, May 8 after they were called to reports a man in his 40s had fallen from a window on Longmoor Lane in Fazakerley. Detectives arrested a 43-year-old, known to the victim, on suspicion of murder who has since been released under police investigation while enquiries continue.
On Wednesday, May 11 the body of a woman was found inside a house on Radway Road, Huyton. The woman, named locally as 43-year-old mum Lorraine Cullen, died of multiple stab wounds at the scene.
A 21-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder - and has since been detained under the Mental Health Act. Police are not currently looking for anyone else in connection with the incident.
The following day, May 12, officers attended a flat block on Vittoria Close in Birkenhead following reports of a concern for the welfare of a woman. Police found Karen Wheeler, 62, who died at the scene.
Mark Wheeler, 51, was charged with her murder on May 16 and a post mortem is due to take place to establish the cause of death.
And on Sunday, May 15 emergency services were called to a flat on Newsham Drive in Tuebrook where a man called Derek Burns was found dead. 56-year-old Jeffrey Kelly, who lived in the same building, was later charged with murder.
Elsewhere this week police also charged Anthony Williams with the murder of Michael Toohey, near London Road more than a month ago, while the trial into the death of 12-year-old Ava White has been ongoing for more than a week.
But Assistant Chief Constable White reassured the public police would continue their efforts, adding he was pleased charges had been brought as part of a number of recent investigations. He added: "[We'll] continue to clamp down on criminal activity - and that's our ongoing commitment to all communities in Merseyside."
