A volunteering opportunity like no other - become an Independent Custody Visitor!

MERSEYSIDE'S Police Commissioner is looking for compassionate, community spirited people to volunteer for her Independent Custody Visiting scheme. Emily Spurrell is looking to recruit more volunteers to make a contribution to policing by joining this important scheme which sees members of the public check on the welfare and wellbeing of people detained in custody.  Independent Custody Visitors or ICVs have an independent role, checking that people held in Police cells and who are not yet convicted of any offence, are being properly treated.

The Independent Custody Visiting programme was established following the investigation into the Brixton riots in 1981 and is now the responsibility of Police and Crime Commissioners to operate in their respective areas across the country. Under the scheme, volunteers in pairs make random, unannounced visits to the Police custody suites, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Once on site, they check on the conditions of those detained and within the suite and produce a report for the Police Commissioner. They can also raise any issues directly with Merseyside Police.

These visits give members of the public a fascinating insight into how this important Police duty is carried out and an opportunity to assess the effectiveness of Merseyside Police. A team of 16 volunteers currently dedicate their time to the scheme, but the Police Commissioner is hoping to double this number and have up to 32 volunteers involved.

Emily said:- "Independent Custody Visitors (ICVs) perform a crucial role and it's only right that this important work is carried out by volunteers from the local community. Detainees are potentially vulnerable and visits by our ICV volunteers are a key protection for them, ensuring their legal entitlements and rights are respected. This is a volunteering opportunity like no other, through which volunteers can gain a unique insight into how our Police service operates and play their part in promoting the highest standards of service. This is a hugely interesting and rewarding role and I'm looking for compassionate, community spirited people, from any background and from all sections of our community, who believe in upholding standards and care about the treatment of others."

The ICV scheme in Merseyside has been in operation since April 1984, when 20 members of the public were trained as visitors. ICVs must have good observational and thinking skills, strong ethical principles and be able to maintain confidentiality. They should also be comfortable challenging Authority if required. Ideally the volunteers will also come from a range of backgrounds, ages and experience.

ICV Chair Ruth Rogers said:- "I have been a custody visitor for 6 years and was appointed recently as Chair of the scheme. The scheme has immense value in providing some scrutiny of the Police and support for people in custody who are often highly vulnerable. We are independent of the Police and report to Emily Spurrell, the Police and Crime Commissioner. Our reports are viewed by the Criminal Justice command team who are responsible for custody and our presence is valued not just by those in custody but also by the Officers and staff who see it as validation of the work they do to keep people save in sometimes difficult circumstances. The flexibility of visiting times makes it ideal for those people who have other interests and commitments. Please do consider volunteering for this important role."

Volunteers must be over 18 years old and live or work in the Merseyside area. Full training will be given. It is expected that volunteers make a minimum of 1 visit a month. If you are interested in applying, please find out more here:- MerseysidePCC.Info. The deadline for applications is:- Sunday, 10 October 2021.

Success of 1st Bootle Strand event marks the start of Sefton Council's ambitious plans

COUNCILLORS at Sefton Council's Audit and Governance Committee meeting this week will be told that the 1st ever event held at Bootle Strand Canalside over the recent August Bank Holiday weekend was attended by thousands of people. People flocked to the outdoor site for the free festival where they were able to enjoy the entertainment and sample the tasty delights and drinks being served from brightly coloured shipping containers. Hundreds of feedback forms were filled out which will be used to help shape Sefton Council's plans to revitalise Bootle, The Strand and the Canalside and revive the Town's hard hit economy. Bootle Canalside is an important site for the recovery strategy for Bootle, which is 1 of the Towns hardest hit by the Covid Pandemic and other issues in the country. An update on the Strand Shopping will also be considered at the Audit and Governance Committee meeting.

Sefton Council sees the Strand Shopping Centre as central to the future growth of Bootle, and at the heart of the Town Centre's physical, social and economic regeneration. It also provides essential services and amenities to local people. The Council has earlier this year published the key issues from the Centre's latest Business Plan, and this recognises the challenges that faced high streets across the country before the Pandemic and which have been exacerbated by lockdown restrictions and the changes this has made to people's shopping habits. The Plan highlights Sefton Council's continued commitment to supporting and securing investment to the area and includes proposals to develop the Canalside area. In June, the Council submitted a ₤14.5 million Levelling Up Fund bid for Bootle. Proposals contained in the Bid include a new, hi-tech digital and Virtual Reality venue hosting the UK's 1st 'Flying Cinema.'

Using a robotic hydraulic platform to create the feeling of being airborne, the:- 'Flying Cinema' would transport visitors on a tour of the British Isles, while a Virtual Reality Time Travel Tunnel will take visitors on a journey through the:- 'History of Bootle and Liverpool,' including an experience of the Blitz. Feedback is expected from Government on the bid later this year. When complete, Bootle Canalside will include an urban garden, food, drink and leisure outlets and events spaces. It will bring activity to currently under used land and will help to kick start the local economy, transforming the look and feel of the Town for residents, businesses and visitors. It will also improve the quality of life and create opportunities for the community. Such an approach and the role of Sefton Council leading this regeneration and redevelopment is only possible due to its decision to purchase the Strand Shopping Centre in 2017.

Cllr Ian Maher, Leader of Sefton Council said:- "I am delighted that the 1st event, as part of our long term plan to revitalise Bootle Town centre and The Strand was a success and am glad that people left us lots of feedback. 75% of the feedback was positive about the event, and we recognise the key areas of feedback and next steps identified. Access to the site from Stanley Road will be progressed in the coming weeks, for example, as we look to sustain momentum with this project. Regenerating a Town that was 1 of those that has been hit hardest by the COVID Pandemic and other factors is going to be a long haul and, as a result, the decision to acquire the Strand Shopping Centre in 2017 to act as the catalyst for this regeneration has proven to be the correct 1. Without the Council owning the Strand this project would not be possible. As would be expected, there has been a reduction in the value of the Strand shopping centre complex, to the current figure of ₤14.24 million. However, this valuation does not impact on the Council's financial position, but the acquisition illustrates how Sefton Council is firmly committed to creating opportunities for local people to influence the future of the site and the Town Centre. Achieving this means having the vision, ambition and confidence to take the long term view and being open and honest about how we intend to achieve it. I hope that the Government will do the same by backing our innovative Levelling Up Bid for Bootle."