BE AWARE OF DOOR TO DOOR CHARITY COLLECTORS

MERSEYSIDE Police are requesting extra vigilance with door to door collections. It has been reported by several residents that people believed to be collecting on behalf of RSPB (Royal Society Prevention of Cruelty to Birds) who are collecting in the area.

Inspector McLouglin told us that:- "We have consulted with RSPB and can confirm that representatives from this organisation are authorised to collect in the North Sefton area.  Although we do not have any evidence to suggest that there are rogue collectors in the area this fact is not to be disregarded to take the proper precautions by identifying the collectors.

They will be identifiable as they SHOULD be in possession of an identification card with individual identity number and also wearing a jacket with the RSPB words upon it.

They are also not authorised to ask for money donations but they are authorised to collect bank details to set up direct debits for contributors. If any collectors request cash it is requested that their identification number is obtained and reported to Support Direct Ltd Tel 020 7424 3900 who are the agency providing the door to door collectors.

If in doubt as to the credibility of collectors then also call local police who will investigate immediately."

COMMUNITY PRIORITY SETTING MEETING:- Inspector McLoughlin is holding a meeting for Formby, Ainsdale and Birkdale residents from 7.30pm, on Thursday, 6 November 2008, at St Johns Parish Hall, Liverpool Road opposite Lemmington Road Ainsdale.  It is at this meeting that the community have the opportunity to set the local policing priorities for their area. Inspector McLoughlin is inviting residents to please come along and have your say.

bmi removes fuel surcharges on European and domestic routes

ON 2 November 2008, London Heathrow’s second largest carrier bmi announced it had removed all fuel surcharges on its flights within UK and Europe. This initiative recognises the current economic situation and the need to provide more affordable and transparent air fares for business and leisure travellers.

Peter Spencer, bmi managing director, said:- “bmi has always been a market leader in UK and Europe and is committed to providing the best value flights backed up by our renowned friendly service.

Our extensive UK domestic and European mainline network links 17 cities and the abolition of fuel surcharges on these short haul flights are designed to help encourage more business and leisure travel.”

bmi is a full service airline and does not have any hidden baggage, check-in or seat selection charges like its low-cost competitors. It carries proportionally more business customers than other airlines and offers a full range of check-in options including online and Self-Service as well as paperless boarding on some routes, where boarding passes are sent straight to customers’ mobile phones.

Within the UK and Europe, the bmi mainline network offers flights between Heathrow and Aberdeen, Amsterdam, Belfast City, Brussels, Dublin, Durham Tees Valley, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Hanover, Jersey, Leeds Bradford, Manchester, Palma and Venice.

The airline also operates an extensive regional network based from hubs at Aberdeen, East Midlands and Manchester airports. bmi also boasts the UK’s most generous frequent flyer programme, Diamond Club, allowing members to earn rewards faster.