A lot done, a lot more to do on diversity and equality says Law Society

EQUALITY and Diversity charity Stonewall has published its Top 100 Employers list showcasing Britain's best employers for lesbian, gay and bisexual staff. This year, as in 2009, the list includes four major law firms. The Law Society’s Diversity Champion Stephen Ward welcomed the results. The Director of Communications, Inclusion & Corporate Responsibility at the Law Society says:- “It is great news that four firms are in the Stonewall Top 100 again this year as we know there was huge competition from other sectors. We have seen a dramatic change in the environment in law firms for LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) employees in the past couple of years. The Interlaw Forum for LGBT Networks particularly has made a huge impact and the Law Society is proud to be working closely with Daniel Winterfeldt (corporate partner at Simmons & Simmons and founder of InterLaw) and colleagues to promote diversity across the profession. We start the new decade knowing there is still a lot to do as the soon-to-be published report on a joint Law Society and Interlaw survey of LGB lawyers will reveal. That report will help us set an agenda for action.” The Law Society’s Diversity and Inclusion Charter provides a clear framework for progress on diversity and inclusion across the legal sector. More and more practices are signing up and taking advantage of the support available from the Law Society. In March we will be launching an associated toolkit that is structured to help practices of every type and size achieve their diversity goals. Further evidence of our commitment to inclusion is the Law Society's Diversity Access Scheme, supported by the Law Society Charity and designed to support promising entrants to the solicitors' profession who also face exceptional social, educational, financial or personal obstacles to qualification.

LARGE HAUL OF DRUGS AND CASH SEIZED IN OLD SWAN

MERSEYSIDE Police seized a significant amount of cash and Class B drugs in Old Swan on Wednesday, 6 January 2010, as part of the Force's war on illegal substances.  At around 5pm officers on patrol spotted a drug deal taking place in a silver Mazda car parked in the Whitefield Road area.  The officers carried out a search of the car and arrested the 28 year old driver for possession with intent to supply after finding a block of Cannabis resin.  Officers then searched the 28 year old man's home where they discovered a substantial amount of Cannabis resin, a large quantity of amphetamine and around £50,000 in cash. A 23 year old woman was also arrested in connection with this incident. Both are currently being questioned by detectives.

Detective Chief Inspector Chris Green, from north Liverpool, said:- "This is a particularly good result and shows the benefit of officers being out on patrol. We are committed to tackling drugs in the community and are determined to bring anyone involved in drugs to justice. Merseyside Police will never be complacent about drug dealing and we want to make it very clear that if you deal in drugs you will be caught. We urge anyone with information about drugs in their areas to come forward so we can take the strongest action against suspected criminals in their communities."

Anyone with information should call Merseyside Police on:- 0151 709 6010 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on:- 0800 555 111.

Dash for gas could put UK lights out
 

The UK by night?

A North West Euro-MP wants European action to stop the UK running out of gas in future cold snaps.  The National Grid last week started reducing gas supplies to industry as supplies of gas run low.  Britain's gas reserves beneath the North Sea are now producing reduced volumes, and greater reliance is being placed on supplies from Norway and Eastern Europe.   But Liberal Democrat MEP Chris Davies says that the Government's decision to approve plans for many new gas power stations make Britain more vulnerable.  He claims that in future years the country may be left dependent on the goodwill of Russia for vital energy supplies.  And he wants the European Union to step up its efforts to improve energy security.  Across Europe, 50% of planned new power stations will run on gas, 24% on coal and only 8% will use renewable energy sources.  Davies said:- "We are putting all our eggs in one basket by building too many gas power stations. It's a cheap option now, but we shall pay a high price for it in the future. If there is ever a cut back on supplies the UK is at the end of a long pipeline from Russia. We must have strong European rules to ensure fair play between EU countries."  The MEP is the leading supporter in the European Parliament of developing carbon capture and storage technology that will allow the use of coal fired power stations without releasing CO2 into the atmosphere.

Witnesses wanted to RTC on Hoghton Street Southport

MERSEYSIDE Police are appealing for any witnesses to a road traffic collision which happened in Hoghton Street in Southport on Thursday, 7 January 2010.

Officers were called to the scene at around 3.45pm following reports that a gold-coloured car had collided with a 14 year old girl as she crossed the road at its junction with Manchester Road.

The 14 year old was knocked to the floor but escaped with bumps and bruises.

The female driver initially stopped at the scene, which is close to the YMCA and Holy Trinity Church, but left before the police arrived. Officers are keen to trace this driver, along with a man who was passing-by at the time and stopped to check that the young girl was okay, as they may have important information about what happened.

Anyone who witnessed the incident is asked to call PC Kurt Timpson in the Force's traffic department in Maghull on:- 0151 777 3723 or 3724.