Property associated with crime closed down

LIVERPOOL City Council and Merseyside Police have successfully closed down a rented property associated with drug dealing, child exploitation and anti-social behaviour. The closure notice was granted at:- Liverpool Magistrates Court under the ASB, Crime and Policing Act 2014, on Wednesday, 17 April 2024. The issues were uncovered during a survey of the local community by the Council's Private Sector Housing team in January 2024. Details of drug dealing, child exploitation, loud parties and violence linked to a property, located at:- 61 Geraint Street, Liverpool 8 were reported. Drug dealing was occurring regularly outside and inside the property, with a flow of buyers coming and going throughout the day and night. The smell of cannabis was persistent in the street, and used drug paraphernalia discarded outside. Young men believed to be involved in County Lines drug activity were present, as well as groups of young girls, who also visited the address for long periods. With the escalation of anti-social behaviour at the property, a warrant was executed, a man was arrested and safeguarding action was taken in relation to the young people.

Louise Harford, interim Director of Housing, said:- "We are really pleased that we have been able to secure this closure order, bringing to an end the misery the local community had been suffering. This case is a really good example of the work our Private Sector Housing team is now doing in our communities, working alongside colleagues and partner organisations such as Merseyside Police, listening to residents' concerns and then acting upon the information received. I'd urge anyone who is encountering similar issues to report their concerns to us in confidence, via our website, so we can look into it."

The Council and Merseyside Police have subsequently been working to secure the closure notice. The property will remain closed until late May.

Constable Sean Sheldon from Merseyside Police, who worked on the case, said:- "This closure will break the cycle and make others aware that this address will no longer be used as a drugs den and place for children to be exploited."

Residents have already expressed their relief and no issues have occurred on the street since. The owner of the property now plans to renovate it for it to become a family home. If you have issues in your area, you can report issues of Anti-Social Behaviour to Liverpool City Council.

Calls to remove controversial cycle lanes in Southport

 

AT a recent Sefton Council meeting within Southport Town Hall, Sefton Conservatives have put forward 2 motions that directly affect Southport.

The 1st is about the controversial cycle lanes on:- Queens Road, Hoghton Street, and Talbot Street and calls for the removal of the lanes at the earliest opportunity.

The 2nd motion is on the proposed rollout of telegraph poles across Southport by Open Reach for fibre broadband, as opposed to installing the infrastructure underground in ducting.

Conservative Group Leader on Sefton Council, Mike Prendergast, is calling on all Southport Councillors, regardless of political party, to support both motions.

Councillor Prendergast said:- "Southport residents expect their local representatives to focus on the issues that, firstly, they are capable of addressing, rather than turning the Council chamber into some kind of student union debating society, talking about issues over which we have no influence. Secondly, they want us to stand up for the issues that matter to them and directly impact on the lives of those in the area. The cycle lanes that were installed have been disastrous for our town, nobody uses them, they've reduced town center parking and accessibility, and have harmed local businesses. The rollout of telegraph poles to install fibre broadband by Open Reach, in a town that historically has never had them, will harm the visual amenity of many areas and reduce accessibility in the areas where they are installed. There is a clear alternative in the form of installing the cabling underground, and this is already being done by other broadband providers in the area. Southport is unique and we want to do all we can to maintain its character. Open Reach are perfectly capable of adapting its rollout to suit the needs of a given area. No 1 is opposed to installing better broadband, it will have huge benefits for our Town, but it needs to be done in the right way and without, what seems at times, quite heavy handed tactics and very little consultation and engagement with our local communities. I sincerely hope that all Southport Councillors support both motions, in their current form, to make it clear that we all support our town and the residents who live here."

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