Residents urged to stay safe this Winter

THE UK Health Security Agency and the Met Office issued their 1st amber cold health alert for the North West Region this season over:- Monday, 17 November to Saturday, 22 November 2025. As a result they remained people they should be ready for winter and that whilst exposure to cold weather can affect anyone, some people are particularly at risk. There is particular risk to those 10 aged:- 65+ and some other vulnerable groups, such as:- those sleeping rough and those with long term health conditions. There are some things you can do to help yourself stay well in winter, that includes for those who are eligible should get there flu and COVID-19 vaccinations. It is worth noting for everyone these simple actions which can do to can keep yourself and others safe during periods of cold weather, like:-

Check on family, friends and neighbours who may be at higher risk of becoming unwell, and if you are at higher risk, ask them to do the same for you.
Check the weather forecast and the news.
Make sure you have sufficient food and medicine.
Take simple measures to reduce draughts at home.
Heat rooms you spend most time in, to 18˚C if you can.
Keep bedroom windows closed.
Wear multiple layers of thinner clothing.
If you're eligible, get vaccinated against flu and COVID-19.
Get help if needed. Call NHS 111 or in an emergency 999 Further information.
To check the latest weather forecast updates visit the Met Office website or app.

Dr Merav Kliner, Director of UKHSA North West said:- "It is important to check in on the wellbeing of those most vulnerable during spells of cold weather. Cold weather can have a serious impact on health, including:- for older people, young children and those with certain long term health conditions, as it increases the risks of:- heart attacks, strokes, and chest infections. It is important to try and heat your home to at least 18�C if you can, and to take other measures to protect yourself such as:- wearing lots of layers. Keep in touch with others and ask if they need any practical help such as:- stocking up on food and medicine. If you're worried about someone else's health, contact your local pharmacist, your GP or NHS 111 for advice and support."

Michael Gregory, Regional Medical Director for NHS England in the North West, said:- "We always see a rise in demand for NHS services when cold weather appears, we want to encourage people to take steps in advance to stay well and use the most appropriate services if they do need medical help. NHS 111 online is a great 1st port of call for non-urgent issues and can help to signpost to appropriate NHS services. People can also get advice and treatment on a wide range of health conditions from their community pharmacist and it's a good idea to have a small supply of basic medicines like:- paracetamol, plasters and indigestion remedies at home. It is also vital that we take the time to look in on our elderly relatives, friends and neighbours over the cold weather to ensure they are well and avoid any deterioration in their health and any potential admission to Hospital."

For more information about winter health, search NHS seasonal advice.

Warning about fake parking fine SMS Text Messages

Example of the phone TxT message.

MOTORISTS across the UK are receiving a series of worrying SMS TXT messages saying you have a speeding fine or a parking ticket.

An example of such a SMS TXT message we have obtained reads:- "Parking Charge Notice (PNC): the recorded shows that you have unpaid parking fines. the payment deadline is November 18, 2025. If you still haven't paid by then, you may be subject to additional fines and interest. Your driving license may be revoked, and this could also have a negative impact on your credit record. after reading this message, please enter your vehicle registration number in the following link to view and pay the parking fine (information inquiry is free). fines-pc02-top Please complete the payment immediately to avoid more legal disputes. thank you again for your cooperation."

This text is a fake and is being sent from mobile phone system firms like:- Hutchison 3G UK Ltd. and even O2 Mobile. Others use spoofing systems to send cloned or completely fake numbers out.

If you get any text messages or emails using the domain name:- "pc02.top" please note that this itself does not appear to be a legitimate domain, and sites like this often have characteristics associated with known scam sites. These fraudulent sites often appear credible and may be used in attempts to collect personal or financial information fraudulently.

In this case, the site looks like a real Gov.UK website, but the URL is not 1 that a UK Government body would use. Additionally, local authorities like Sefton Council do not send text messages out in regards to parking fines, nor do Plolice Forces in the UK, like Merseyside Police, send them out for paying speeding tickets. Genuine Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) are typically issued as a physical ticket on your windscreen or sent by post. Local Councils have confirmed that they will never contact residents by text message about a PCN.

This type of phishing scam is increasingly common and with the rise of more computer systems and mobile networks, this is a very easy way for scammers to trick people into passing on personal information along with making money from these types of scams. The text messages often use high pressure tactics, such as the threat of suspending your driving licence, or Court action, to force victims to act quickly. Furthermore, a new version of the scam has been reported which uses the recipient's IP address to make the location listed for the fine appear more convincing. There have also been warnings about similar scam texts purporting to be from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) or the Department for Transport (DfT), neither of which deal with parking fines.

If you have encountered this website through an unsolicited email or message, it is strongly advised that you do not interact with it, click any links, or provide any personal information. If you are concerned you may have a genuine unpaid PCN, you should always check directly via the official Sefton Council website or app, and never use a link from an unsolicited message. You can find general guidance on identifying and avoiding scams from resources like Action Fraud in the UK. If you have clicked on a suspicious link, it is advised that you restart your device immediately as this can kill any remote connection, and if you have entered any bank details, you must contact your bank's fraud department at once.

To report a fake scam text message in the UK, forward the text to:- 7726 for free to report it to your mobile provider. Additionally, you can forward suspicious emails to:- Report@Phishing.Gov.UK. If you have lost money or provided personal information, you should also report it to Action Fraud or Police Scotland on:- 101 (in Scotland).

At a quick glance you will see that within this text you will spot that the date is in American Format. No registration number, and also it is not a .Gov website URL. Plus, you should note that the Council will not have your mobile number linked to your registration, and your name isn't on it.

The picture below is an example of the page you would get if you clicked on the link. This page is extremely convincing and even has links to the real .Gov website from the pages on this fake website!

What are your thoughts on this news topic? Email our Newsroom at:- News24@SouthportReporter.Com or send us a message on:- Mastodon, Facebook, or Twitter. Please do let us know as we love to hear your views....

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Residents urged to stay safe this Winter

Warning about fake parking fine SMS Text Messages