News reports located on this page = 3.

Halloween sees overall increase in calls compared with 2019

MERSEYSIDE Police have said that:- "We can confirm the force saw an overall increase in calls, compared with Halloween last year. A total of 861 emergency and non-emergency calls were received during the Policing operation, between 2pm and 11pm, on Saturday, 31 October, up from 768, (a 12.1% increase) during the same period in 2019. There was an overall 48.8% increase in reports of anti social behaviour and criminal damage (314 compared to 211 last year), which can largely be attributed to the fact that the anti social behaviour figures including Covid19 related incidents and breaches. Reports of criminal damage alone decreased by 28.9% (27 incidents compared to 38 in 2019)."

Commenting on the increase Commander for the policing operation, Chief Inspector Peter Clark said:- "This year it's especially important that everyone acts responsibly and abides by Government restrictions and thankfully, the overwhelming majority of our communities have done so over the weekend, for which I would like to thank them. A huge amount of effort and planning from multiple agencies goes into this operation every year and we will continue to work closely with partners and have increased high-visibility patrols out across Merseyside in lead up to Bonfire Night. We have seen an overall increase in reports of ASB and criminal damage compared to last year, but this rise is due to the fact that reports of Covid19 related incidents and breaches largely make up the ASB figures, rather than incidents targeting members of the public. It is disappointing that a small minority have engaged in anti-social behaviour, criminal damage and breaching restrictions over the weekend as we know how concerning this can be for the community, particularly vulnerable and elderly people, and I would like to reinforce our message that we will not tolerate this under any circumstances and will be pursuing a number of lines of inquiry to locate those involved. Parents and guardians, please keep talking to your children about where they're going, what they're doing and who they're with when they leave the house. We know the Halloween period has looked a lot differently this year, and understand the disappointment and frustration felt by many about having plans cancelled and not being able to spend time with loved ones, but it's crucial that we continue to follow the guidance now so that we can reunite soon."

If you have information on criminality in your area, always contact:- 999 in an emergency. Alternatively can call:- 101 or call Crimestoppers UK, anonymously on:- 0800555111.

We would love to see your costumes from Halloween

WE did see a few people dressed up in Formby Village, but not as many as we normally see. We would love to see your photos if you dressed up. Please do post them on our Facebook Page or reply to our post on Twitter. 

We also spotted a few houses decorated, like this fantastic house on St Stephens Road, in Hightown. again, please so send any pics of your house decorations...  Please email us to:- News24@SouthportReporter.Com.

UK Scouting Association issues SOS

IT has been announced that over 500 Scout groups could be forced to close with others facing a similar situation, the UK's Scouting Association as Covid19 has been hampering fundraising. How this announcement affects Merseyside Scout we don't currently know, but a new fundraising campaign has been started.

Upon the announcement of the new fundraising campaign efforts, Astronaut Tim Peake said:- "Scouts are setting off on an epic Race Round The World to help support the 500 UK Scouting groups worst hit by Covid19. I'm so proud to be leading Team Beavers with Ellie Simmonds. Please do join us today and help give the next generation skills for life... Our target is to raise over Ł300,000 for the 500+ Groups at risk of closing. "

Channel4, Amazon, and Discovery TV host, Ed Stafford also added:- "I'm also so proud to be leading Team Scouts on this epic Race Round The World to help support them, along with Sarayk Humalo. The race is on until 11 December 2020, so there’s time to really challenge yourself and get sponsored for as many miles as you can manage if you want to take part!

To do this you will have to:-

1. Travel a mile or more.

2. Get sponsored.

3. Log your miles (and help your team get all the way around the world!)

4. Tag us with #RaceRoundTheWorld on social media to show us how you’re doing (and help spread the word far and wide!)

3. Log your miles (and help your team get all the way around the world!) to physically complete your miles; have a look at other fun activities you could try.

You can take part however you like and wherever you are. Once you’re all signed up and raring to go, go, go...
To find out more and to join in, please go to:- Scouts.Org.UK."

The event started on 29 October 2020 onwards, with 4 teams are racing each other to see who can be the 1st to travel the 43,000 miles to get around the world. Everyone who takes part will be following our route at least once, though The Scout Association is encouraging everyone to take on as many miles as they can manage!

If you are a member of the World Organization of the Scout Movement - WOSM, please do post your thoughts about these fundraising efforts and what Scouting means to you... We are very keen to hear from Merseyside Scouts about your thoughts and views on how Covid19 has affected your troops. Please email us to:- News24@SouthportReporter.Com with your thoughts and views on this topic.