EIGHT ARRESTED IN CONNECTION WITH MURDER OF STEPHEN LLOYD

MERSEYSIDE Police on 8 December 2009 arrested a ninth man in connection with the murder of Stephen Lloyd in July, 2006. The 29 year old from Bootle was taken to a police station on Merseyside where he was arrested by detectives.

The eight men arrested earlier that day where still being questioned in connection with the murder of father of one Stephen Lloyd in Redfern Street, Bootle, on 13 July 2006.

Stephen Lloyd, 25 years, was shot as he sat in his car outside MWM Skip Hire in Redfern Street at about 5.10pm. on that Thursday evening.

Officers made the arrests following raids at 11 addresses in Liverpool North, Sefton and Knowsley.

Detective Superintendent Ian Kemble, said:- "This is the culmination of an extensive investigation in to the murder of Stephen Lloyd three years ago and those arrested are currently being interviewed by a team of detectives across Merseyside.  Stephen's family are still coming to terms with his murder and can't rest until justice is done. Today's activity shows that Merseyside Police is committed to thoroughly investigating serious crime and finding those responsible so that justice can be done for the families who have to live with the loss of a loved."

Anyone who may have information in connection with Stephen Lloyd's murder should contact the Major Incident Room on:- 0151 777 8695, 0151 777 8693, or Crimestoppers on:- 0800 555 111.

New Chief Constable for Merseyside Police

MERSEYSIDE Police Authority is pleased to announce that Jonathan Murphy is the next Chief Constable of Merseyside Police.  Mr Murphy has been with the police service for 33 years and is currently the National Coordinator for Serious and Organised Crime with the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO), a role he has held since September 2007.  Mr Murphy first joined Merseyside Police in 1976 where he progressed through the ranks and by 1995 was Detective Chief Inspector. By 1999 he was a Superintendent and had the role of Force Operations Manager with overall responsibility for all uniform support departments. In 2001 he was promoted and moved to the National Crime Squad as an Assistant Chief Constable.  In 2004 he returned to Merseyside Police as Deputy Chief Constable, a role he held for three years before leaving for his current role with ACPO. Mr Murphy was selected by the Appointments Committee of Merseyside Police Authority, chaired by Cllr Bill Weightman. Cllr Weightman said:- “I am delighted to announce that Jonathan Murphy will lead our police service into the next decade and whole-heartedly welcome him back to Merseyside Police. He has a wealth of experience to bring to the challenging role of Chief Constable, and in partnership with the Police Authority we are determined to build upon the successes achieved in recent years particularly around increasing confidence and satisfaction, improving overall performance and across the board reductions in crime. I am confident that our police service will be in the best possible hands.”

Mr Murphy grew up and was educated in Liverpool and studied for a BA (Hons) in Law at Liverpool University. In 1995 he was awarded a Fulbright Police Fellowship and worked for six months in California with the FBI and other US Law Enforcement Agencies. In 2001 he gained a diploma in Applied Criminology from Cambridge University.  Mr Murphy will take up his post as Chief Constable of Merseyside Police at a date in the new year when he will take over from Temporary Chief Constable, Bernard Lawson.

DISTRACTION BURGLARIES WARNING IN SEFTON

MERSEYSIDE Police are investigating reports of bogus officials targeting elderly and vulnerable people in the Sefton area after a pensioner had cash stolen from her home.

The distraction burglary happened at around 3.30pm on Wednesday, 2 December 2009 when two men called unannounced at the 67 year-old woman's home on First Avenue in Crosby claiming to be workmen for the council making checks on the property.

The pensioner let them into her house and while she was making a cup of tea they stole £120 from her purse before fleeing.

At 5pm later that day two men matching the same description as the bogus officials attempted to enter the home of an 83 year old woman on Sandown Road in Seaforth but she denied them access after they failed to provide any identification.

The men are described as white, aged in their 40s and of medium build.

The first man is around 5ft 8ins tall and was clean shaven. He was wearing a dark coloured duffle coat, denim jeans and a black woolly hat.

The second man is described as being 5ft 10ins tall with a bald head and high cheek bones. He was wearing brown, round framed glasses, a dark coloured coat and blue denim jeans.

Detectives are appealing for anyone with information in relation to the incident that may lead to the identification of the two men or who may have experienced a similar incident to come forward.

DC David Hale, from Sefton CID, said:- "It would appear that these two offenders are targeting elderly and disabled people. These kind of opportunistic burglaries are particularly callous and I would urge anyone with any information to contact the police. I would also like to remind people to be on their guard against these offences and to never let anyone into your property without first checking their identity. Genuine callers will not mind waiting at the door while you check with their identity with their employers before being let in."

Anyone with information is asked to call Merseyside Police on:- 0151 777 3168 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on:- 0800 555 111.

To stop you or your family becoming victims, Merseyside Police recommend the following -

► Always ask to see the identification of the person calling.

► If you are in any doubt about the identification shown, phone the company they claim to represent and check - don’t use the phone number they give you, look in the phone book for it. Ask the person to wait outside while you check and never leave your front door open while you do so.

► If the caller leaves and you are still unsure about their credibility, write down the details of the person and the registration number of any vehicle they have travelled in and contact Merseyside Police on:- 0151 709 6010.

► If you have suspicions about a caller to you or any of your neighbours, contact the police.

► The best defence against a doubtful caller is to have a viewer or spy hole and a stout door chain fitted to your door.