Readers of the Liverpool Echo have voiced their concerns over the level of crime on Merseyside during a live webchat with the area’s new chief constable.

Echo readers were given a unique chance to put Bernard Hogan-Howe on the spot in the latest question and answer session on the paper’s website icliverpool.co.uk, where issues raised included anti-social behaviour and prostitution.

The chief constable was also grilled on racism in the Merseyside force, the recruitment of police officers and the amount of paperwork that operational officers have to deal with.

During the hour-long chat he revealed his views on the priorities for the police service in the UK – dealing with anti-social behaviour and answering the phone efficiently to people who ask for help – and said that in Merseyside the force also needed to consider dealing with criminals who use firearms.

He told readers: “Turning around our response to these issues can take time. However, I know we will become the best police force in the UK and deliver an excellent service to the people of Merseyside.

“We have 6,400 staff in Merseyside Police and there are 1.4m people who live in the area. We know it is not a straightforward task but we work hard 24hrs a day to help the community and keep it safe.”

He also said that a blitz on thugs and gangs would mean “challenging anti-social behaviour and not criminalising all young people”.

He said: “From January, I hope you will see a marked change in our approach to anti-social behaviour. I agree entirely that together with our partners we need to build trusting relationships with young people.

“We have just appointed Superintendent Rowley Moore to the Community Relations Department and one of his first tasks will be to establish a Volunteer Cadet Corps.”

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