The operation began the day after the death of nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel, although planning had been in place beforehand.

On August 23, the day after the tragic death of nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel, Merseyside launched Operation Miller – targetting those involved in organised crime.

Planning for the operation had predated Olivia’s murder and Op Miller sits alongside other operations run by the force including Op Venetic which targets criminals who use Encrochat, and Project Medusa which focuses on county lines.

726 arrests have been carried out under Op Miller along with 1,938 stop searches and the execution of 142 warrants. 15 firearms have been recovered and 148 vehicles seized.

The operation has no end date but is being reviewed on a regular basis and officers are using a number of overt and covert tactics.

Just last week, a property search was conducted which revealed large quantities of suspected drugs, £800 cash and equipment to manufacture drugs. Officers also discovered a room which was suspected to be a converted drugs manufacturing laboratory to produce amphetamine.

Three people, a 51-year-old man and two women, aged 49 and 22, from Walton, were subsequently arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply Class A and B drugs, possession of criminal property and the production of a Class A drug, amphetamine.

Later that same evening, Monday 19, officers executed a warrant at a house on Netherby Street in Dingle at 8.20pm.

During the search a suspected firearm, ammunition and a hand grenade was found at the address. The firearm has been recovered and being forensically examined to establish if it is a viable weapon.

The Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team carried out a controlled explosion of the hand grenade.

Paul Cox, 58 years, of Netherby Street in Dingle has been charged with being in possession of a firearm without a certificate, possession of a controlled explosive with intent to endanger life, possession of a prohibited weapon, possession of ammunition for a firearm without a certificate, possession of an explosive substance for unlawful purpose.

Five others have been released under investigation.  

In the initial stages of the operation, officers from the North West assisted via mutual aid to implement the disruption.

Superintendent Chris Joughin said: “Officers from across the Force have been involved in this month-long disruption to target and disrupt criminals involved in serious and organised crime. 

“Operation Miller works in tandem with other police enforcement operations we have in place all year round to disrupt criminality and protect those living in our communities."