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NSPCC launches
its HACK walking challenges to raise funds for children
Photograph by
Ben Craven
SUMMER 2013 may still seem like a little way off at the moment, but
it's not too early to start to think about pulling on your walking
boots for a good cause. The NSPCC is launching its annual walking
challenges, HACK (Hike Against Cruelty to Kids) in 4 locations
across the country and is calling on people in Merseyside to take
part.
The series of HACK challenge walks in 2013, range between 5 and 22
miles, and take place in some of the most beautiful locations in the
UK including the Mournes Mountains in Northern Ireland, a City
walking challenge through the streets of
London, plus challenge walks of varying lengths in Yorkshire and
Devon.
New for this year, the HACK challenges will be delivered in
partnership with outdoors retailer, GO Outdoors.
NSPCC community fundraising manager, Helen Verity said:- "We
are delighted to be working with GO Outdoors for the 2013 HACK
challenges. With the support from their customers and staff, even
more walkers can join in the fun, which will hopefully mean we'll be
able to raise even more money for children and families across the
region. Training for the HACK is a great way to start a keep fit
campaign and taking part is an amazing challenge and experience. The
HACK will be a fabulous day out in the great outdoors and a valuable
opportunity to help the NSPCC raise money to support its projects
and services across the UK, so why not think about taking part as a
group of friends or maybe enter a corporate team."
Russel Bennett, head of marketing from GO Outdoors, said of the
partnership with the NSPCC:- "The new charity partnership with the
NSPCC is very important to us and we are proud to be supporting and
taking part in the NSPCC's series of HACK events this year. We are
hoping that lots of our customers and staff will be inspired to take
part in a HACK event, so we can help raise even more money, so
together we can help support vital services for children and
families across the country."
For further details about all the HACKs taking place in 2013 and to
register online, please visit:-
nspcc.org.uk/hack.
WANTED APPEAL BY POLICE ZACH GRAHAM - EDGE
HILL/KENSINGTON, LIVERPOOL
A convicted car thief is again wanted by the
Police for breaching the conditions for his release from prison.
Zach Graham was released on Christmas Eve, after serving half of a
13 month prison sentence for aggravated vehicle taking. Graham, aged
19, from Edge Hill, was arrested for being a passenger in a car
stolen during a burglary in Crosby last June. He is wanted on recall
to prison for breaching his licence condions on April 9 by failing
to attend probation appointments and other breaches. Graham is known
to frequent the Edge Hill, Kensington, Birkenhead and Wallasey areas
and anyone who has seen him or knows where he is asked to call
Garston Police Station on:- 0151 777 1162 or leave information
anonymously with Crimestoppers on:- 0800 555 111.
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STATEMENT
FOLLOWING SENTENCING OF MICHAEL TAYLOR
FOLLOWING on from the
sentencing of Michael Taylor, of Latimer Street, Vauxhall, for 15
offences, of fraud, on Wednesday, 8 May 2013, Detective Sergeant Jed
Ferguson, has sent out a warning to members of the public. He
explained:- "Michael Taylor was charged with fraudulently
using debit/credit cards he had obtained through deception from his
cab customers and has been sentenced to 8 months. We have been made
aware of a number of similar instances were passengers of a black
Hackney cab have had their bank card swapped with another persons
bank card and the card has then been used to withdraw money. The
incidents generally involve victims who have consumed a lot of
alcohol and when they have got in the taxi they have asked to stop
at a cash machine, or paid by card in the taxi. When the victims
stop at the cash machine the taxi driver accompanies them to the
cashpoint and puts the card in on their behalf and withdraws the
cash, the card is then given back to the victim, and generally it is
only the next day that they discover they have actually been given a
card belonging to another person. Other frauds have taken place
through the use of a chip and pin machine in the cab, the victim
hands over the card to taxi driver and puts the pin in the machine
and again when the card is given back it is not the card belonging
to that person. We don't believe that this practice is widespread
and is probably down to a handful of individuals and we are
determined to find them. We are working closely with the local
authority's taxi licensing sections and the cab firms themselves to
try and identify the individuals responsible. Anyone with
information should contact St Anne Street CID 0n 0151 777 4065, or
Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111."
Officers are also issuing the following crime prevention tips to
protect your debit/credit cards and keep your cash safe:-
► Be aware of your surroundings and
look for any suspicious persons or activity near the ATM machine.
► If you see anything that looks
suspicious, go to another machine or return later.
► Shield Your Transaction
► Use your body or hand, or an
object, to shield the ATM keyboard when you enter your PIN.
► Do not give anyone (including the
taxi driver) else the opportunity to see the number you are
entering.
► If anyone attempts to distract
you, secure your card and cash before dealing with them.
► If you have handed your debit /
credit card to the driver at any point, ensure that the card
returned to you is your own
debit card.
► Put your cash away immediately. Do
not display, or count it, at the machine. You can always count it
later.
Using an ATM at late at night
► If you are on a night out ensure
you use ATM machines early on in the evening and, if possible, take
someone with youNever go to an ATM with someone you don't know.
► Pace yourself - getting blind
drunk puts you at risk - instead, have a soft drink in-between
alcoholic drinks.
Taxis
► If possible pre-book your cab and
leave with your friends - whether you are using a private hire or
hackney cab always check the driver's ID and licence is visible
inside the taxi.
► Make sure someone at home knows
you are on your way and which firm is driving you.
► Have money to pay for your fare
before getting in a taxi. Using ATMs late at night, particularly
after you have been drinking, can put you at risk.
► Do not leave any valuables with
the driver at anytime as a surety for any owed fares, especially
mobile phones.
Morning after the night before
► If you find any of your items,
such as mobile phone, wallet, purse, bank cards, missing after a
night out please contact the Police immediately.
► If the items turn up you can
always let the Police know.
► In certain circumstances bank
cards can be switched resulting in the owner placing the wrong card
in their purse or wallet, taking them home and not realising their
card is missing until the next day.
► If this has happened to you and
you find yourself in possession of someone else's card, please
contact the Police immediately.
► Trust
your instincts - if it feels wrong it probably is so get
out of the situation as quickly as possible and call:- 999
if you feel at risk or
threatened. |
