Police Commissioner welcomes Labour Party Green Paper on ending violence against women and girls

MERSEYSIDE'S Police Commissioner has today welcomed a detailed Labour Party Green Paper which sets out plans to end the epidemic of violence against women and girls. Emily Spurrell has welcomed the Party's proposals which would toughen existing sentences for perpetrators of rape and stalking, create new specific offences for street sexual harassment and the practice of landlords asking for sex in lieu of rent, as well as introducing bold measures to reverse record low conviction rates for rape. The wide ranging, cross departmental approach sets out a long term response to tackling the misogyny that underpins the abuse women and girls face at home, in the street, at School, College and University, in the workplace, and online.

Merseyside's Police Commissioner Emily Spurrell said:- "The Government is failing to take enough action to protect women and girls from violence. This Green Paper from the Labour Party is very welcome. It sets out clear, effective proposals to deter offenders, prevent crime and increase the safety and security of women in all walks of life. I am particularly pleased to see a commitment to improving the support offered to victims through the criminal justice process. This is something I am committed to improving here in Merseyside. I have also laid out my plans to set up a Victims' Panel to give survivors a greater voice and to establish a Region wide taskforce to tackle violence against women and girls. Through these plans, Labour is showing that gender based violence is top of its agenda. It's time this government did the same."

Labour's proposals include:-

► Toughening sentences for rape, stalking and domestic murder, reviewing sentencing for all domestic abuse and introducing whole life tariffs for those who rape, abduct and murder a stranger.

► Removing legal barriers that prevent victims of domestic abuse getting the help they need, such as through legal aid and:- 'no recourse to public funds.'

► Bringing in new custodial sentences for those who name victims of rape and sexual assault.

► Introducing a survivor support package to improve victims' experience in the Courts, including fast tracking rape and sexual violence cases, legal help for victims and better training for professionals to give people the help they need.

► Introducing new measures for those who face additional barriers to protection and support, such as:- migrant, Black, Asian and ethnic minority, LGBT+, and disabled women and girls.

► Training for teachers to help identify, respond to and support child victims of domestic abuse.

► Introducing criminal sanctions for tech executives who do not act fast enough to remove misogynistic abuse on their platforms.

► Repealing the rape clause for social security claims, reviewing single payments for Universal Credit and ending the 5 week wait, to ensure domestic abuse survivors can access the support they need quickly.

Sefton celebrates 'Dementia Friendly' status this Dementia Action Week

SEFTON Council, Sefton Advocacy, NHS South Sefton Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and NHS Southport and Formby CCG have come together this week to celebrate Dementia Action Week, which runs from the 17 May 2021 to 23 May 2021. The aim of the week is to raise awareness and encourage action around those living with dementia and those people who care for them. In October 2019, thanks to the work of Sefton's Dementia Action Alliance (DAA), the borough was officially recognised by The Alzheimer's Society as 'working towards becoming dementia friendly'. This status means that Sefton is a place where people with dementia are understood, respected and supported. Sefton Council, Sefton Advocacy, NHS South Sefton CCG and NHS Southport and Formby CCG are encouraging people this week to understand how they can support those people living with dementia in our community in order to make our borough the most welcoming, understanding and supportive place it can be for those living with dementia. Dementia Friendly Sefton are a group of organisations and individuals who are determined to maintain and improve Sefton's 'Dementia Friendly' status.

Take a look at how they have been supporting people living with dementia on Sefton Council's YouTube Channel:-

► Dementia Training = https://www.YouTube.Com/watch?v=Yk8XOtliuis

► Practical Support = https://www.YouTube.Com/watch?v=iqRL0uCV51A

► Emotional Support = https://www.YouTube.Com/watch?v=bGEh-DtuF6Q

► Support for Carers = https://www.YouTube.Com/watch?v=Ri26F9TKaoI

► Support from the CCG = https://www.YouTube.Com/watch?v=q9HiPLtiygk

► The full video is on Sefton Council's YouTube Channel = https://www.YouTube.Com/watch?v=YsmeWSCEmNE

Cllr Paul Cummins, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Chair of Dementia Friendly Sefton said:- "I'm so proud to celebrate Dementia Action Week and I take this opportunity to thank the huge number of organisations from across Sefton that help create a place where people with dementia are understood, respected and supported. The world can be a confusing and sometimes frightening place for people with dementia, but by making small changes to the way we usually do things, we can make that world much brighter. I encourage everyone in Sefton to take some time to consider how they can become more dementia friendly."

Justine Shenton, Sefton Advocacy, Sefton Older Persons Forum Coordinator said:- "It is important to raise awareness this Dementia Action Week; both of the condition and how people can help make those people living with dementia more supported and understood. I'm proud to be a part of Dementia Friendly Sefton and I know we will continue to work towards making our community a better place for people living with dementia and in doing so, enable them to live the lives they choose to live."

Fiona Taylor, Chief Officer of NHS South Sefton CCG and NHS Southport and Formby CCG, said:- "We are pleased to have been working closely with our partners who provide services and activities for those living with dementia, to increase our support in recent years, enabling them to better plan and deliver valuable services in our communities. As CCG's we have also undergone dementia friendly training in order to fully embrace this important agenda and champion this in our borough."

Sefton's cautious welcome for lockdown easing measures

WITH Step 3 of the Government's Covid roadmap to lockdown easing coming into effect today, Sefton Council's Environmental Health Team is reminding the Borough's businesses and their customers to follow the new guidelines. From today, people can meet friends and family indoors again with a maximum of 6 people, or 2 households. Also, restaurants, cafes and pubs can serve people indoors again, with the same restrictions on numbers in place. Other indoor venues such as cinemas, children's play areas, and hotels are also allowed to re-open. Cllr Paulette Lappin, Sefton Council's Cabinet Member for Regulatory, Compliance and Corporate Services said:- "While it's great news that we've moved into the next stage of lockdown relaxations, and we all want to make the most of them, it's essential that we stick to all the precautions including the rule of 6. As we have seen with the rise in cases over the last week and the emergence of the variant first identified in India, COVID-19 is still very much present in Sefton and distancing, wearing face coverings where required and frequent thorough hand washing remain important to keeping ourselves and others safe."

Up to 30 people can now mix outside from and people will can to attend outdoor events. Numbers will be limited numbers depending on capacity. At indoor venues, customers need to remain seated while ordering, eating and drinking help reduce the risk of Covid19. Cllr Lappin continued:- "Our Environmental Health team are reporting that the vast majority of Sefton's businesses, bars and restaurants have been doing a great job to meet the requirements and keep their staff and their customers safe. And customers have been doing their bit and complying with restrictions. But if any local businesses want any advice or support from our Environmental Health team, they can contact them at:- ETSContact@Sefton.Gov.UK or by calling:- 03451400345.�

Sefton Council has also been supporting the Borough's businesses by provide help to secure PPE and hand sanitiser and put safety measures in place. The Council has also provided over ₤70 million of financial support grant funding to local businesses during the pandemic as well as around ₤270,000 in grants for the Borough's Taxi Drivers.

Cllr Lappin also reiterated the importance of people getting vaccinated when they are offered a jab. And she reminded those who are out and about and who are going to work taking regular rapid Coronavirus tests to make sure they aren't accidentally passing on the Covid19 virus because they are one of those people who does not have symptoms. She added:- "Because around a 3rd of us don't show the tell tale Coronavirus symptoms of a new persistent cough, a high temperature or a loss of sense of taste or smell, despite being infected with Coronavirus regular testing is vital. Rapid tests involve taking a throat and nasal swab, dropping the sample into the container supplied, and can provide a result in as little as 30 minutes. They are available from 8 am to 8pm, 7 days a week, at the former H Samuels unit, in Bootle Strand and at Southport's Splash World. And, home test kits are widely available, from Test Centres, from all Sefton's pharmacies as well as online from:- www.Gov.UK/Order-Coronavirus-Rapid-Lateral-Flow-Tests. Also, I would ask everyone aged over 16 who lives, works or studies in Formby, where cases of the India variant have been found, and anyone who has visited any venue, in Formby, over the last 2 weeks, to be tested at 1 of the dedicated Test Sites that opened on Friday. Local, dedicated Coronavirus testing has been introduced in Sefton's Formby area to identify the Indian variant."

Mobile, drive through test centres have been set up at Deansgate Lane Park in Formby (L37 3LF) and at Ainsdale Hope on Sandringham Road (PR8 2PJ), and there is a walk through test centre at Sefton Professional Development Centre (PDC) on Park Lane (L37 6EW). The Deansgate drive through Test Centre is open from 9am to 4pm, Monday to Friday, and the PDC on Park Lane is open between 9am and 4pm, 7 days a week. The Test Centre, located at Ainsdale, is open from 9am to 8pm, 7 days a week. Appointments are not needed for tests at any of these Centres.

�As we start to look forward to a more hopeful future as lockdown restrictions ease, it's important that we continue to support our partners in helping residents transition back into what will hopefully be a more interactive and sociable local community and helping patients and their carers to truly 'live well' with dementia.� For more information, visit the Alzheimer's Society website...

THE total number of UK Coronavirus (Covid19) infections that have been laboratory confirmed, within the UK, has risen by:- 1,979 cases and the total number now stand at:- 4,452,756 that includes tests carried out by commercial partners which are not included in the 4 National totals.

The total number of Covid19 associated UK fatalities added to the total, was sadly reported to be:- 5 within 28 days of positive test, according to the Department of Health. The total number of deaths of people who have had a positive test result confirmed by a Public Health or NHS laboratory is:- 127,684, within 28 days of positive test. Deaths with Covid19 on the death certificate:- 151,765.

The number of Covid19 patients currently in UK Hospitals:- 991. The current number of Covid19 patients currently in mechanical ventilation beds in UK Hospitals:- 124 Daily number of Covid19 patients admitted to UK Hospitals:- 103.

In England, there are a total of:- 3,889,132 confirmed cases. North West - total of:- 612,974 confirmed cases.

The number of laboratory confirmed cases within the Liverpool City Region are as follows:-

Area and number of confirmed cases:- Risen by:-
Liverpool City Region

Nation Lockdown

National UK Restrictions

► Liverpool, 48,622 confirmed cases.
4

► Halton, 12,011 confirmed cases. 2

► Knowsley, 17,422 confirmed cases. - Error -

► Sefton, 24,204 confirmed cases. 9

► St. Helens, 17,140 confirmed cases. 7

► Wirral, 24,361 confirmed cases.
3

Colour Key:- 0 1 to 10 11 to 20 21 to 30 31 to 40 41 to 50 51 to 100 100 to 199 200 & over

Daily reported Covid19 deaths are now measured across the UK as deaths that occurred within 28 days of the 1st laboratory confirmed positive Covid19 test. Daily and cumulative numbers of Covid19 patients admitted to Hospital. Data are not updated every day by all 4 nations and the figures are not comparable as Wales include suspected Covid19 patients while the other nations include only confirmed cases.

Total UK people who have received Vaccination

1st Dose 2nd Dose

36,704,672

20,287,403

Jab Stats correct as of:- 16 May 2021

The Vaccination programme began on 8 December 2020 with people receiving the Vaccine developed by Pfizer / BioNTech, and people began receiving the Oxford University / AstraZeneca Vaccine from 4 January 2021. Both Vaccine s are given as 2 doses, at lEast 21 days apart, for a full Vaccination course.

Police Commissioner welcomes Labour Party Green Paper on ending violence against women and girls

Sefton celebrates 'Dementia Friendly' status this Dementia Action Week

Sefton's cautious welcome for lockdown easing measures

Total UK cases Covid19 cases in and around Liverpool City Region