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Hands off our school computers
SCHOOL pupils
in Liverpool are telling thieves to keep their hands off valuable
learning equipment. 6th formers from Holly Lodge Girls School
in West Derby are helping launch a crackdown on break-ins which will
see DNA style SmartWater sprayed on computers, DVD players and other
ICT equipment at all of the city’s 190 schools. Last year
there were 96 burglaries at Liverpool’s schools, causing a great
deal of distress for teachers and pupils.
Councillor Paul Clein, executive member for children’s services,
said:- “Burglaries at schools have a tremendously negative
impact on education in Liverpool. It is not just the cost of
replacing stolen equipment but the disruption it causes to lessons
and the impact on pupils learning. Any items which are taken
can’t be replaced overnight, and during the intervening period
pupils do not have access to vital equipment that is crucial to
their education.”
SmartWater codes property with a forensic DNA style solution which
is uniquely registered to the owner. It means criminals caught with
the equipment can be linked back to the school, providing absolute
proof of where it came from.
On Wednesday, 31 October, pupils from Holly Lodge sprayed a bright
pink ‘hands off’ logo on the ground at the school entrance.
The symbol, which will be used at all SmartWater schools, is
designed to deter thieves who are thinking of breaking in.
Councillor Colin Eldridge, executive member for community safety,
said:- “This partnership between the city council and
Merseyside Police will have a major impact on tackling a problem
that hits schools in the pocket.
Every pound spent replacing
stolen equipment is a pound less that is spent on additional books,
equipment and other resources which make sure that children get a
top quality education.”
Police stations across Merseyside have been fitted with UV detection
suites which can identify traces of SmartWater.
Assistant Chief Constable Simon Byrne from Merseyside Police said:-
“SmartWater is an excellent way of deterring criminals and
getting the crime prevention message across to young people at an
early age.
Using technology like SmartWater is a key part of
our War on Crime. School burglars operating on Merseyside face
a greater risk of being caught, even long after the crime has taken
place.”
SmartWater has been used in 400 criminal convictions so far and has
a 100% success rate in prosecutions. |
Got
a cough that won't go away? Then get checked out
MACMILLAN lung
nurses in Southport and Ormskirk during November's Lung Cancer
Awareness Month are urging people not to delay in getting checked
out if they have a cough that won't go away or unusual chest pains.
Sue Summerfield & Janet Thompson, Macmillan lung nurses based at
Southport and Formby District General Hospital are holding
information awareness displays at both Southport and Ormskirk
District General Hospitals during November. They are among Macmillan
Cancer Support's 184 lung cancer nurses. Macmillan is working
with The Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation for the 6th year running
to raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of lung cancer, and the
importance of early diagnosis.
Every day 105 people are diagnosed with lung cancer and another 92
people die of the disease. Lung cancer has one of the lowest
survival rates of any cancer. For 80% of those diagnosed, their
disease is inoperable because it has been noticed too late. If they
got to the doctor earlier they could have been operated on and for
many, their lives could have been saved.
Sue Summerfield, Macmillan lung nurse, said:- "Lung cancer is
the UK's biggest cancer killer, but early diagnosis really does save
lives. It's vital that people take any symptoms seriously and get
checked out without delay to ensure the very best chance of
survival."
Symptoms to look out for are:-
* A cough that doesn't go away after 2 to 3 weeks
* Worsening of a long-standing cough
* Persistent chest infections
* Coughing blood
* Unexplained persistent breathlessness
* Unexplained persistent tiredness or lack of energy
* Unexplained persistent weight loss
* Persistent chest and / or shoulder pain
People are encouraged to visit their GP if they have any of these
symptoms, particularly if they smoke or used to smoke.
Eye-catching posters and leaflets, produced by Macmillan Cancer
Support and The Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation to highlighting
the signs and symptoms of lung cancer and the importance of early
diagnosis, are available UK-wide through Somerfield supermarkets,
doctors' surgeries, pharmacies, hospitals, smoking cessation
services, and libraries - pick up a leaflet to find out more.
Alternatively, anyone wanting more information can call the
Macmillan CancerLine on 0808 808 2020 or The Roy Castle Lung Cancer
Foundation Helpline on 0800 358 7200. |
