AINSDALE POLICE STATION GETS NEW OPENING TIMES

AINSDALE Police Station is to open later on selected weekdays and at weekends as part of an ongoing review of policing resources in Sefton according to Merseyside Police this week. The station, which is on Segars Lane, will open on Wednesday and Friday evenings and on Saturday mornings on a trial basis. Merseyside Police Press Office told us that:- "The decison has been taken following consultation with the public, local councillors and the local MP and aims to improve the service provided to the public by Merseyside Police. Details about the exact opening times and the start date are currently being finalised."   The Area Commander for Sefton, Chief Superintendent Ian Pilling, said:- "As part of our Total Policing approach we continually review our resources to ensure the best possible service for the communities of Sefton. It has been some time since the opening hours of police stations across Sefton were reviewed and after extensive consultation, the feedback was that Ainsdale opening later would better meet the demand and needs of the public. The review of all police station opening times in Sefton is still ongoing and no changes will be carried out without full consultation with the public and community leaders taking place. Anyone with any views in respect of this issue is welcome to contact their local police station to share them." The changes will see the Ainsdale neighbourhood police officers and community support officers, which currently operate out of Formby, move to Ainsdale Police Station. The Formby policing team will remain at Formby Police Station. No police officers will be taken off the streets to staff the desk.

 MURDER INVESTIGATION LAUNCHED - ST HELENS

MERSYSIDE Police have launched a murder investigation after a 47 year old woman died in hospital on Sunday, 19 April 2009, following an incident in St Helens on Saturday 18 April 2009.

Officers were called just before 2pm and were informed that a member of staff in Morrisons supermarket, Baxters Lane had been injured.

It is believed that the woman had been trying to stop a man, thought to be a shoplifter leaving the store earlier in the day.

The woman went home after the incident, where she later collapsed and was taken to hospital. She died on Sunday, 19 April 2009, in hospital.

A man, believed to be in his early-forties from the local area, was last night (Sunday, 19 April 2009) arrested on suspicion of murder. He remains in police custody.

Officers are keen to speak to anyone who may have been in the store at this time or anyone who has information about the incident to contact them on 0151 777 1577 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

APPEAL FOR WITNESSES - CONFRONTATIONAL BURGLARY - HESKETH DRIVE, SOUTHPORT

MERSEYSIDE Police are appealing for witnesses following a confrontational burglary at an address in Hesketh Drive, Southport, on Thursday, 9 April 2009. At around 9.45pm officers were called to a report of a burglary was taking place in Hesketh Drive. A man entered the property and the female occupant locked herself into a room. He left with some small items in the direction of Cambridge Road. The offender is described as white, between 17 and 20 years old, around 5ft 9in tall with an athletic build and fair short hair. He spoke with a deep voice in a local accent and wore a black long-sleeved v-necked jumper and dark tracksuit bottoms. Anyone with any information is asked to call police on:- 0151 777 3168 or Crimestoppers on:- 0800 555 111.

 REAL HELP AT HAND AS MERSEYSIDE’S MONEY HABITS REVEALED...

A new service offering practical help and information on money matters was launched last week in the North West and North East of England by The Financial Services Authority (FSA) and HM Treasury.

Moneymadeclear offers real help that’s tailored to individual needs, whether it’s getting to grips with budgeting and saving, help to cope with the effects of the downturn, or understanding tax and pensions planning.

Help is available through the Moneymadeclear website - which features tools such as a financial health check and a budget calculator – from trained ‘Money Guides’ over the phone, or face to face at local centres.

As Moneymadeclear is launched, a Onepoll survey has revealed that when it comes to keeping track of their money, almost half of people in Merseyside say they are unsure what’s in their bank account, with one in 10 never checking it.

Four in ten of those questioned say they would welcome guidance on money matters. But with many respondents not knowing where to go, not understanding money jargon, or thinking getting help will cost them money, people have not found it easy to get help with their money worries.

Nearly three quarters of people surveyed from Merseyside say they buy without being sure whether they can afford it. Four in ten admit to regularly running out of money before their next pay day and are unsure how much their regular bills amount to each month.

Moneymadeclear is available to anyone in the North West and North East of England as part of a year-long pilot.

Chris Pond, the FSA’s director of financial capability, said:- “This Moneymadeclear service will provide tailored help at a time when people in Merseyside urgently need it as we test the delivery of clear, impartial and personalised information and guidance on money matters. We want Moneymadeclear to help give people the confidence and capability to make the most of their money – now and in the future – by providing guidance that people need on the money matters that shape their everyday lives.”

Ian Pearson, Economic Secretary to the Treasury, said:- “People who are facing money concerns or questions need to know that good, practical help is at hand. With this new service, people in the North West and North East can now speak to impartial, trained Moneymadeclear staff who can help them deal with the money worries they face as well as plan for the future with confidence."

Dawn Evans, a Moneymadeclear ‘Money Guide’ based in Merseyside, commented:- “It’s not easy nowadays to keep on top of your money, even on a day-to-day basis, and as the survey shows we still have a tendency to just blow caution to the wind and then worry later. The problem is, when those worries surface, a large number of us simply don’t know where to go to get help and we feel in even less control of our money than we did before. The whole purpose behind Moneymadeclear is that it can help you get back in control, and feel confident about your money – hopefully leaving you with one less thing to worry about.”

For impartial money guidance please visit:- fsa.gov.uk or call 0300 500 5000 for a completely confidential chat or to arrange a free face to face session with a money guide near you.