Birkenhead Soldier commended

BIRKEHEAD soldier Gunner Ellis-Robinson was making his way home a few weeks ago from the Birkenhead Army Careers Information Office (ACIO), when he happened to pass the petrol station on Borough Road as a moped burst into flames and engulfed the petrol pumps.  He took it upon himself to carry out traffic control on the road, stopping traffic from approaching the garage and diverting members of the public away from the danger area. He then assisted police with the road closure and did not leave until the fire crews declared the area safe. The police have since written to the ACIO to commend Gnr Ellis-Robinson for his initiative.   The soldier is only at the ACIO until the end of today, as he is due to join his regiment. He has been at the ACIO as part of the Satisfied Soldier Scheme, which allows soldiers who have just completed their first phase of training to return to their home towns to chat with anyone interested in joining the Army to see what life as a soldier is really like and if it is a career they would be suited for.

WITNESS APPEALS - ROBBERY INCIDENTS, WEST DERBY

MERSEYSIDE Police Detectives are appealing for witnesses following two separate robberies in the West Derby area of Liverpool.  In the first incident, which happened at around 4pm on Wednesday, 7 April 2010, a group of teenagers were approached by three older youths in Walkers Playing Field in Eaton Road who threatened them before stealing a mobile phone.  One of the offenders was white, aged 16 or 17, around 5ft 7ins tall, and wearing a black cap, grey sweatshirt and black cargo pants. One of the other offenders was slightly younger, around 5ft 5ins, of chubby build. Both spoke with Liverpool accents and the three of them were walking a brown and white Staffordshire Terrier dog.  In the second, unrelated incident, two boys aged 13 and 14 were walking in Sandfield Park on Friday, April 9, at around 9.40pm when they were approached by a man who pushed them over before stealing an iPod and a mobile phone. The offender is described as white, around 5ft 8ins tall, of slim build and wearing dark clothing with a black and grey 'Low Alpine' hat.  Detective Constable Andy Bason, from St Anne Street robbery team, said:- "I am keen to speak to anyone who was in the area of either of these two robberies. Although no-one was injured, on each occasion youngsters were targeted by older offenders who threatened them before stealing their belongings. I am sure there will have been people out and about at the time who will have seen what happened. I would urged them to the police so that we can do all we can to bring them to justice."  Call St Anne Street Robbery Team on:- 0151 777 4808 or Crimestoppers on:- 0800 555 111.

A grand day out for Sundowns

WIRRAL based charity Sundowns has been chosen as the Merseytravel corporate charity for 2010.  Youngsters and their parents from Sundowns attended the recent launch of the Wallace and Gromit in Space Exhibition at Spaceport in Wallasey, where they were officially welcomed as the Merseytravel corporate charity for 2010 by Merseytravel Chief Executive, Neil Scales and Radio Merseyside presenter Roger Phillips.

Sundowns charity provides support and advice from people who have a child with Downs Syndrome and offer help with information covering things like education, benefits and health issues. Sundowns also provide social events for the whole family and offer support for siblings of people with Downs Syndrome.

Neil Scales said:- “For the past eight years our staff have voted for a good cause to become our corporate charity for each year and this year we are pleased to be supporting Sundowns.  Sundowns are celebrating their tenth anniversary this year and we hope to mark the occasion by not only fundraising, but also offering our support where we can.”

Roger Phillips added:- “Sundowns are a great charity, doing very valuable work with a limited budget and resources, so the support of an organisation such as Merseytravel will be invaluable to them”

Lisa Masters, Chief Executive of Sundowns said:- "We would like to thank the staff of Merseytravel for choosing us as their charity of the year! This is a huge honour and we are all very excited”

Ofcom - Measures to Tackle Online Copyright Infringement

THE UK body, Ofcom (The Office of Communications) ,whose statutory duties are set down in the Communications Act 2003, and which regulates the principles of the UK's communications industries, on Tuesday, 13 April 2010, has published Terms of Reference setting out its initial obligations and approach under the Digital Economy Act. This is a very controversial act that, according to the UK Government and some of the music industry, is aimed at significantly reducing levels of unlawful file sharing via peer-to-peer online networks. This act has led to huge criticism and Ofcom has stated that it understands that there is widespread interest in this. It has massive implications for anyone using the internet in the UK. To read their 'Terms of Reference' go to ofcom.org.uk/telecoms/copyright/tor/. Email us your views on this topic to news24@southportreporter.com.