NEWS
MERSEYSIDE POLICE – OPERATION SHEPHERD Launched annually, Operation Shepherd is Merseyside Police’s flagship Christmas campaign. It focuses on preventing crime and protecting communities during the festive period. Officers patrol shopping centres, Christmas markets, and busy nightlife areas, supported by specialist units including the Dog Section, Mounted Section, and Roads Policing. Chief Inspector Chris Bland, who coordinated the 2024 campaign, emphasised that “Christmas should be a time of joy and celebration, but unfortunately, some criminals see it as an opportunity.” The operation targets theft, violent offences, and predatory behaviour towards women and girls in the night-time economy. Extra patrols reassure the public and deter offenders, while plain-clothed officers monitor for predatory behaviour. Operation Shepherd demonstrates how forces adapt national priorities to local risks, combining visible presence with targeted safeguarding.
WEST MERCIA POLICE – OPERATION CHRISTMAS PRESENCE In Herefordshire, Shropshire, and Worcestershire, West Mercia Police run Operation Christmas Presence. This initiative deploys extra officers across town centres and nightlife venues,
working with local authorities and licensed premises to deter disorder. The operation emphasises reassurance, with officers visible in busy areas to prevent crime and support vulnerable people. It
“Beyond public order and road safety, Christmas brings a spike in domestic abuse incidents.”
reflects the reality that Christmas brings not only joy but also increased alcohol consumption and the risk of violence.
POLICE SERVICE OF NORTHERN IRELAND – OPERATION SEASON’S GREETINGS Though outside England and Wales, the PSNI’s Operation Season’s Greetings mirrors similar initiatives. Launched in November 2025, it focused on increased visibility across towns and cities, with uniformed and plain-clothed officers patrolling shopping areas, nightlife venues, and transport hubs. The operation aimed to deter criminal activity, reassure the public, and support local businesses. Its inclusion highlights the shared challenges of policing Christmas across the UK.
NORTH WALES POLICE – OPERATION RETAIL In Wrexham city centre, North Wales
Police launched Operation Retail to tackle shoplifting and antisocial behaviour. Officers worked closely with retailers to protect staff and shoppers, recognising that retail crime spikes during the festive season. The operation combined patrols with intelligence-led interventions, reflecting the importance of protecting economic as well as personal safety.
DOMESTIC ABUSE AND
HIDDEN STRAIN Beyond public order and road safety, Christmas brings a spike in domestic abuse incidents. Figures from Dyfed-Powys Police show that in December 2024 alone, the force recorded 1,200 reports of domestic abuse and 124 alcohol-fuelled assaults. The Police Service of Northern Ireland reported 1,228 calls for domestic abuse over the festive period, including 83 on Christmas Day itself. Charities and legal experts warn that economic pressures and increased alcohol consumption exacerbate tensions, leading to rises in domestic violence. For officers, this means responding to highly sensitive and often dangerous incidents at a time when demand is already stretched. Domestic abuse policing requires not only enforcement but also safeguarding. Officers must manage victim expectations, provide support, and coordinate with social services. The strain
05 | POLICE | DECEMBER | 2025
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