Luxor Bar and Lounge, Waterloo issued with closure order

LUXOR Bar and Lounge, located on South Road, Waterloo has been issued with a 2 month closure order following an investigation into drug use and violent incidents at the premises. On Thursday, 30 March 2017, Sefton Magistrates Court granted the closure order, which means it must remain closed until midday, on 30 May 2017. Community Sergeant Kate Young said:- "Following an investigation by our Officers, we believe that this bar was linked to incidents of drug use and violence. Waterloo is a safe and welcoming place to live and visit and we feel that local residents and visitors deserve venues that can be enjoyed safely. We're committed to keeping our communities safe and that means access to local amenities where the residents can enjoy themselves in a safe environment. I'm sure everyone would agree that this community shouldn't have to live with this type of criminality happening on their doorstep. We are now working with the management of the bar who share our determination to ensure such incidents do not happen there again."

How many of Britain's wild mammals have you seen?

PEOPLE'S Trust for Endangered Species (PTES) is calling for an army of volunteers to record any sightings of wild mammals they see in their gardens or local green spaces, as part of its annual Living with Mammals survey. Now in its 15th year, PTES' Living with Mammals survey relies on members of the public volunteering their time for a few weeks between Monday 3 April and the end of June. Volunteers are required to choose a site close to their home or place of work, and to spend a short time each week looking out for wild mammals or the signs they leave behind. Volunteers can record their sightings online or via paper forms. David Wembridge, Surveys Officer at PTES, explains:- "Living with Mammals provides a nationwide picture of how wildlife is faring in our Towns and Cities. Recording wildlife and tracking how numbers are changing is key to ongoing efforts to conserve it."

Last year, grey squirrels were recorded at 7 out of every 10 sites, making them the most commonly reported wild mammal in the survey. But grey squirrels are just 1 of the 28 wild mammal species that have been recorded during Living with Mammals. Over the survey's 15 year history, mammal sightings range from smaller species such as wood mice, water voles and hedgehogs, to much larger species including deer, badgers, foxes and otters.  David Wembridge, Surveys Officer at PTES, continues:- "One thing to come out of this survey is the surprising number of different mammals present in urban areas. Some are only rare visitors to our gardens and parks, but if we can encourage that diversity, it's a good indication of the natural health of our towns and cities."

Many of Britain's mammals, including the hedgehog; recently voted as the nation's favourite mammal in a 2016 poll; foxes, grey squirrels and bats, are typically found in household gardens, recreational areas, cemeteries and brownfield sites, but other green spaces close to buildings may also provide a home to them. However, there are some mammals that only live in certain parts of the country: red squirrels are found mostly in Scotland, on the Isle of Wight and in northern England; while hazel dormice, which are rare but occasional visitors to gardens, are mostly found in southern counties of England and in Wales.  Wembridge concludes:- "The natural world is never far away from us, even in Towns and Cities. The presence of wild mammals is a positive sign of the health of theses spaces, and while it may not be commonplace to see some of these species, we can still find a surprising number. Taking part in Living with Mammals is a huge help to PTES' ongoing conservation efforts."

To take part in PTES' 2017 Living with Mammals survey, register online.  If you want to support PTES' ongoing conservation work, you can donate ₤3 by texting:- 'PTES17 ₤3' to 70070.