PCC invites public to once again pose their questions to Chief Constable at online Community Q&A

MERSEYSIDE Police Commissioner Emily Spurrell is inviting you to submit your questions on policing ahead of her 2nd online Q&A session with Merseyside Police's Chief Constable.

The questions you submit will be put directly to Rob Carden during the Merseyside Community Q&A, which will air at:- 6pm on:- Monday, 12 October 2026.

The session will be streamed on the PCC's Facebook page and YouTube channel, giving people across Merseyside the opportunity to watch and hear responses to the issues that matter most to them.

Questions can relate to local policing priorities, neighbourhood safety, crime, confidence in policing and the challenges facing Merseyside Police. They can be submitted via an online form.

This is the 2nd online Community Q&A hosted by the Commissioner and follows a session in April when members of the public asked questions about the restructure of Merseyside Police, the visibility of Officers and PCSOs, issues around e-bikes, drug dealing and county lines.

While many questions focused on serious policing issues, the session also featured some more unusual topics, with questions being submitted about the colour of Merseyside Police vans, Police Officer uniforms and what advice the Chief Constable would give to someone considering a career in policing.

The session comes just over a year after Rob Carden started as Chief Constable, giving him an opportunity to reflect on the challenges and achievements from his 1st 12 months in post.

The Merseyside Community Q&A is designed to support openness and accountability, providing the public with an opportunity to hear directly how Merseyside Police is responding to their concerns and tackling the issues that matter most.

Merseyside Police and Crime Commissioner Emily Spurrell said:- "My job is to make sure the public's voice is heard in policing, and that starts with listening to what you want to know. I've made increasing transparency and accountability a core principle in my Police and Crime Plan and this Merseyside Community Q&A is another way for you to have your say. It gives you the chance to ask the questions that matter to you and to hear clear answers direct from the Chief Constable. Rob has now been in post just over a year, so it's a great time to hear his views on the highlights, challenges and key issues from the past 12 months and find out how he is settling into the role. If you have a question about policing in your area, I'd really encourage you to submit it and tune in on 12 October to hear the answer."

A recording of the Merseyside Community Q&A session will be made available for anyone who is unable to watch the event live.

How to submit a question???

Questions can be submitted by completing the online form here.

The deadline for submitting questions is:- Monday, 5 October 2026.

You can then tune in at:- 6pm on:- 12 October 2026 to hear the Chief Constable respond during the Merseyside Community Q&A.

Avanti West Coast to transfer to public ownership

ON 27 September 2026, Prime Minister Andy Burnham issued the following statement saying:- "Enough is enough. For years, people have been expected to put up with Avanti's cancellations, delays, overcrowding, and a service that has failed them time and time again. So my Labour Government is bringing Avanti West Coast into public ownership at the earliest opportunity in March next year. That means passengers, not shareholders, will come 1st. More investment, fewer delays, and a renewed focus on getting the basics right. We're putting essential services back in public hands and building a railway that actually works for the people who use it."

This move to put the services back into public ownership will see many of our nations key passenger rail routes affected.

If you are unaware, Avanti West Coast operates high speed, long distance trains from:- London Euston, along the:- West Coast Main Line. The change will see the railway firms connections served many of the country's major Cities like:- Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool, Glasgow, and Edinburgh. Plus regional routes, that includes services to:- North Wales (Chester) and the West Midlands.

Following the announcement, Avanti West Coast issued the following in response:- "Today, the Government announced we will transfer into public ownership on:- 7 March 2027. Although our ownership will change, your tickets will not be affected. Please continue to travel and book tickets as usual."

Southport's Labour Member of Parliament, Patrick Hurley also committed publicly:- "Bloody good news!"

Avanti West Coast is owned by a joint venture, splits ownership between:- 70% FirstGroup (a major British transport firm that also runs other rail and bus networks) and 30% by the Italian state rail operator Trenitalia (the primary train operator owned by the Italian Government.)

What are your thoughts about Great British Railways taking over the operations? Please email them to our Newsroom at:- News24@SouthportReporter.Com or send us a message on:- Mastodon, Facebook, or X.Com. Please do let us know as we love to hear your views....

News reports located on this page = 2.

PCC invites public to once again pose their questions to Chief Constable at online Community Q&A

Avanti West Coast to transfer to public ownership