Let’s talk about building a Safer Merseyside

MERSEYSIDE'S Police Commissioner wants to talk to YOU about how we can build a Safer Merseyside. Emily Spurrell is hosting a live Twitter Q&A between:- 5.30pm and 6.30pm, on Monday, 26 July, 2021, when she will be taking your questions on her consultation on the policing and community safety priorities for our Region. Emily launched her Safer Merseyside consultation, on 21 June 2021, to find out about the issues that matter most to you and what should be prioritised in her Police and Crime Plan, which will set the policing and community safety priorities for the Region for the next 3 years.

► Her consultation focuses on 3 key pillars:-

► Fighting Crime; Proactive Policing.

► Supporting Victims; Safer Communities.

► Driving Change; Prevent Offending.

Now she wants to hear your feedback and any questions or suggestions you have as to how we can make the Region even safer. Simply tweet your questions to:- @MerseysidePCC, using the hashtag #AskEmily to join the conversation either before the event, on 26 July 2021, or live on the day.

Emily said:- "I launched my Safer Merseyside consultation to listen to your views about what matters most to you when it comes to keeping our Region safe. Hundreds of people have already taken part in the consultation online and in person. I want as many people to join the conversation as possible, so please send me your questions or any feedback and I will be delighted to respond during this live Twitter Q&A. The views of people across Merseyside are at the heart of everything I do and will form the backbone of my Police and Crime Plan. This is an important document for our Region, so I really want you to share your thoughts and concerns and give me your ideas for what steps we can take to Merseyside even safer."

You can also take part in the consultation online at:- SmartSurvey.Co.UK/s/SaferMerseyside. The Police and Crime Plan is a living document which is continuously reviewed to ensure it continues to accurately reflect local priorities. It can be refreshed at any time.
 

LIVERPOOL has lost its UNESCO status over waterfront development and the new Everton Stadium, despite not waiting to visiting the City to see what if any changes the development would have on the historic view of Liverpool’s waterfront. Liverpool is only the 3rd location to be deleted from the list after Elbe Valley in Dresden, Germany, and the Arabian Oryx Sanctuary, in Oman.

The decision to uphold the motion to delete happened at a vote, held at the Heritage Committee meeting, that was overseen by Tian Xuejun, the Chairman, in China. To decide the fate of the City’s waterfront, the vote ⅔ majority was needed for deletion motion to be passed. The vote was passed by representatives of 21 countries. These countries included:- Guatemala, Mali and Kyrgyzstan. 13 countries voted in favour of deleting Liverpool from the list, while 5 voted against. 2 votes were invalid and 1 country failed to take part in the vote.

Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram said in a statement to the press that the decision was:- "a retrograde step that does not reflect the reality of what is happening on the ground." He also added on Facebook that:- "Places like Liverpool should not be faced with the binary choice between maintaining heritage status or regenerating left behind communities; and the wealth of jobs and opportunities that come with it. We're obviously disappointed by UNESCO's decision. We did not want to lose our World Heritage Status, but nor could we allow it to preserve our Region in aspic, while the world evolves around us. But I'm confident our Region will remain a vibrant and attractive cultural destination."

What are your thoughts about this? Please email us your thoughts about this to:- News24@SouthportReporter.Com.
 

SEFTON Central MP Bill Esterson thanked the management company which looks after Maghull Square for the successful car park resurfacing and has asked them to reconsider opening public toilets. The management company, London AND Cambridge said they might pay for toilets to be built but said the running costs meant it was not cost effective for them. Mr Esterson has also written to Sefton Council, to ask if the council can work with London and Cambridge to provide the toilets. Mr Esterson said:- "The lack of public toilets, at Maghull Square, is something that is often raised with me by residents and it is something people want to see. Many people use Costa Coffee's toilets but this is unsatisfactory. The lack of public toilets is a real problem especially for older and disabled shoppers and ultimately means people spend less time and money in the shops which loses them trade. I asked London and Cambridge about the toilets and they said the running costs would be a problem for them, even if they could afford to build new toilets. I have approached Sefton Council even though Maghull Square is privately owned in the hope that the council and the private owners between them can do something. But as we all know, the government has slashed council budgets since 2010 and the availability of public toilets has reduced enormously, so I understand that this is not straightforward. It seems to me that a shopping area the size of Maghull should have public toilets and that having them would help the shops and shoppers alike. That's why, I shall be contacting the owners of the shops to ask them to consider whether toilet facilities are something they can contribute towards. The improvement to the car park is a huge boost to the Square and I thank the management company for delivering this. Having public toilets available would be an even greater improvement."
 

ON 20 July 2021, at around 7:05pm, Emergency services were called out to an incident at Crosby Beach, following reports of a group of 5 men, in their 20s, in trouble in the water. We are told that the RNLI responded to the incident, along with the Coastguard, Merseyside Police, Merseyside Fire and Rescue, North West Ambulance Service. 3 of the 5 males were taken to Hospital, with the other 2 not needing medical assistance.

In an update, a Merseyside Police spokesman said:- "We can confirm that a man has died and 2 others were taken to Hospital following an incident, on Wednesday, 20 July 2021. Of the 2 taken to Hospital, 1 remains in a critical, but stable condition and the other has been discharged. The deceased man’s family have been made aware and are being supported by Family Liaison Officers."
 

We are also told that Merseyside Police are asking anyone who witnessed the incident and has yet to come forward is asked to contact them, on:- 101, with reference:- '21000506040' or through messaging them on:- Twitter, alternatively via messaging them on:- Facebook.

Following this latest tragic incident, MFRS Area Manager Gary Oakford, said:- "Our thoughts are with the family and friends following the tragic death of a young man this week on Crosby beach. Sadly, this is the latest in a large number of water related fatalities across the country during this period of hot weather. We would urge people to make sure they are aware of the dangers of open water, particularly when carrying out activities in and around open water. We know that around 50% of people who drown in the UK were taking part in normal everyday activities near water at the time, with many having no intention of entering the water.“Open water swimming is very different to swimming in a pool and is much more dangerous. Even at this time of year when temperatures are warm, the water is often a lot colder than you expect and can affect your ability to swim and sudden immersion can lead to cold water shock. There are also hidden currents that can quickly lead to difficulty for even the strongest swimmers."

Whilst Tuesday’s incident occurred on a beach, MFRS is also urging people to #BeWaterAware when visiting:- canals, lakes, rivers and dams. AM Oakford added:- "It can be difficult to judge the depth of open water and steep sides and banks can make it difficult to get out. There are also hidden dangers beneath the surface of the water, including debris which can not only cause serious injury, but could potentially cause entrapment. Open water is also often untreated and contains contaminants that can make you extremely ill."

The Leader of Sefton Council has issued a statement following the sad news that a man has died following an incident at Crosby beach on the evening of Tuesday, 20 July 2021. Cllr Ian Maher, Leader of Sefton Council, said:- "Our heartfelt thoughts and condolences are with the family of the man who tragically died following the incident at Crosby Beach last night. We are sending our thoughts to the family of the other casualty who remains in Hospital. Thanks go out to the emergency services in attendance, alongside members of the public, who we understand responded as quickly as possible under extremely challenging circumstances."

Due to the hot weather there has been an increase in visitors to our beaches, but sadly most people don't think much about water safety. If you are heading to to the pool or the beach to hanging out, to beat the heat, please remember that the water might not be as hot as you think. Also, families flocking to the Region's beaches and beauty spots might not realise the potential dangers in water and also on the beach themselves. Please always read and follow and safety notices on the coastline, always check the tide times and follow any advice given by the Rangers and Lifeguards. Also, it is always worth taking advice about dangers from local people. So far this summer, there have been 12 confirmed water related fatalities in the last four days across the country, with searches continuing for 4 other missing people in water. 5 people remain in Hospital as a result of open water related incidents. For safety advice we recommended you visit:- RLSS.Org.UK.

Tips for staying safe near open water:-

►  Be aware and take notice of any warning signs.

► The water is cold; even on very warm days. Sudden immersion can lead to cold water shock, which can cause gasping and intake of water. Stay clear of the edge when walking or running near water.

►  River banks and cliff edges may be unstable and give way, particularly after bad weather.

►  Depth can be difficult to estimate.

►  You can get in, but can you get out? People often get into difficulty with steep sides and slimy banks.

►  Debris under the water such as shopping trolleys, broken glass and cans can cause serious injury and trap you.

►  The water is untreated and can make you ill.

►  There may be hidden currents.

►  Avoid alcohol and drugs when carrying out activities in our near water.

►  Going to the beach? We advise you to go to a beach with a lifeguard. Be aware of which flag is flying as this will warn you of any dangers. Red and yellow flags means lifeguards are on patrol.

►  If you or someone else gets into trouble, dial 999 and ask for the Fireand Rescue Service if inland or Coastguard if near the coast.

►  Do not enter the water yourself, you could also get into difficulty. Look for something that floats or that they could hold onto and throw it to them.

►  If you fall into the water unexpectedly, or get into difficulty, fight your instinct to thrash around. Instead, lead back, extend your arms and legs and float.