MURDER hunts, rape cases and other serious crime appeals are set to be broadcast across Merseyside’s sporting venues.
In a link-up thought to be the first of its kind, Merseyside police have joined forces with six sporting venues as part of their war on crime.
Anfield, Goodison Park, Prenton Park, St Helens’ Knowsley Road, and Aintree and Haydock racecourses have all agreed to be used for appeals by the force Crime Operations Unit, which tackles serious and organised crime.
Assistant chief constable Patricia Gallan said: “Sport is an integral part of life on Merseyside and we believe with the help of the stadia we can reach a lot of people.
“If we’re investigating a murder, we can use the sites to display posters and make appeals over the tannoy on match or race days.
“In the run-up to 2008 and the Capital of Culture year, Liverpool and the wider Merseyside region has been undergoing a renaissance and we won’t let serious and organised crime undermine the regeneration of the region.”
The first posters will go up at Tranmere Rovers for Saturday’s match against Swansea and be appealing for information regarding the murders of Michael Wright in Croxteth in December and Daniel Duffy in Netherley a month before.
Posters will also be going up for Arsenal’s Premiership visits to Anfield and Goodison later this month and next month’s Aintree Festival and Grand National.
Everton chief executive, Keith Wyness, said: “Any initiative aimed at helping to reduce crime in our area is most worthwhile and I’m delighted to say at Everton we will be backing this whole-heartedly.”
Liverpool FC stadium manager, Ged Poynton, said: “Liverpool is pleased to work in partnership with Merseyside police and other leading sporting agencies in tackling the issue of serious crime, whether it is in Anfield or other areas of Merseyside.”
Dickon White, managing director at Haydock racecourse, said: “This is one way to improve the odds when catching offenders.”
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