Merseyside Police have issued a ‘zero tolerance’ warning after a TikToker broke-in to the force’s former headquarters.
A video posted to the platform showed an abandoned Merseyside Police station being explored. The location of the station was not immediately clear.
A spokesperson for the force told the ECHO that a number of people had broken into its old headquarters at Canning Place on The Strand in Liverpool city centre on Saturday, December 30 2023.
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In a statement, the force said an investigation was underway to find the people responsible. It has also introduced a review of security at the building.
The force moved to its new headquarters on 15 Cazneau Street, off St Anne Street in Everton in 2021. Canning Place, located next to the Liverpool ONE bus station, has been vacated and is up for sale but Merseyside Police logos remain on the building.
It was reported that a number of people had entered the building. Once alerted, patrols attended and conducted an extensive search of the building, finding no people present.
Entry to the building had been forced following damage to an alarm system. Merseyside Police confirmed repairs have been made and an investigation into the incident is ongoing.
Assistant Chief Constable Mark Kameen said: “As a result of this break-in, Merseyside Police have launched an investigation to establish the identities of all of those involved.
“While comprehensive security measures were in place, they were unfortunately breached and we are reviewing those measures to ensure they are as robust as possible.
“While Merseyside Police retains ownership of Canning Place, which is currently up for sale, the building has been vacated and is no longer used for a policing purpose. A considerable amount of property has already been removed from the building, and this process is in its final stages.”
ACC Kameen added: “As a result of this breach, we have re-introduced onsite security and regular high visibility patrols in and around the building.
“Although the building isn’t actively used, its security while it remains our property is of paramount importance.
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“Nobody has the right to enter private properties, and valuable policing resources have been diverted to protect and re-secure what was a secure building before it was broken into.
“The increased security measures we have had to bring in will have an ongoing impact on those resources, and the actions of those who broke-in will therefore have repercussions for tax-payers.
“We will not tolerate such mindless actions and our investigation will determine what, if anything, was taken and we will bring those responsible to justice.”
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