THE Performing Right Society (PRS) is warning businesses of a scam where fraudsters are knocking on people’s doors claiming to represent the society and asking for sums of money.
 
PRS, the organisation that collects royalties for songwriters and composers when their music is played, was today informed that fraudsters have attempted this scam in two locations across the UK and are investigating if other businesses have been approached.  In conjunction to its own investigation the society is also in touch with the police to make them aware of the situation. 
 
PRS employs Music Licensing Managers who visit businesses across the UK to check that they are appropriately licensed if they are playing music and to ensure that they are operating within UK Copyright Law. They always carry ID and never ask for sums of money on site.
 
Keith Gilbert, Managing Director PRS Public Performance Sales said:- "No money is ever demanded from businesses when our Music Licensing Managers visit businesses, they always show ID and they do not approach peoples homes.
 
Furthermore, No business is ever 'cold called' by PRS – an introductory letter is always sent ahead of any phone calls being made.  All PRS calls are recorded."
 
Any concerned businesses within the area can call PRS on 0800 068 48 28 or visit our website for further information and updates on this situation. PRS will investigate any concerns as a matter of priority.
 
PRS has been selling music licences on behalf of its 60,000 composer, songwriter and music publisher members for over 90 years and prides itself on adhering to the highest standards of best practice.

SPOTLIGHT ON CRIME.....

SPOTLIGHT on Crime is a short dynamic video highlighting how Merseyside Police has reduced crime by 18%.  This is the biggest reduction in the country for the second year running.

The video gives you a flavour of the wide variety of work Merseyside Police undertakes, 24 hours a day, seven days a week to make Merseyside a safe place to live, work or visit.

You can watch the video via www.sportlightoncrime.co.uk or through the Merseyside Police website.

Cleaning gives jobless a fresh start

AN ambitious Liverpool cleaning company is refusing to let the dust settle as it continues to expand its operations with support from local employment experts.

Alpha Cleaning Services Ltd, based in Knowsley, has recently recruited its 70th employee after winning more commercial and industrial cleaning contracts in the area.

Sales director Veronica Marten says that ‘keeping it in the family’ has played an important part in the company’s success

Veronica has joined forces with daughter Jane Marten to forge a partnership with employment experts Pertemps People Development Group (PPDG) to ensure she recruits the right calibre of cleaning staff.

Jane, who works as an employment liaison co-ordinator at PPDG’s Church Street offices, has helped her mother recruit 17 local long-term unemployed people in the last four years. Ten of them still work at Alpha Cleaning Services and the latest recruit, Pauline Wilson, has already been identified as having promotion potential.

PPDG works in partnership with Jobcentre Plus and delivers a range of Government-funded Welfare to Work initiatives including Employment Zone, New Deal, Lone Parent mentoring, and Learndirect training programmes.

Veronica said:- “When Jane started working at Pertemps People Development Group I said I would do what I could to help the long-term unemployed people she deals with. We have a very good understanding and Jane always helps us find the right calibre of staff.

We look for people who really want to work. We want people with a positive attitude and a willingness to learn. Pertemps People Development Group has been a godsend for us because recruiting staff can be a nightmare. They do all the groundwork for us and provide tremendous support.

Pauline Wilson is the latest recruit and she is a shining example. She uses her brain and her initiative. She is capable of making her own decisions and has a very nice way with our clients. I knew immediately she was going to be right for us and she has shown supervisor qualities.”

Jane said:- “The relationship works so well with Alpha Cleaning Services Ltd and ourselves due to a mutual understanding of the needs of the clients and both businesses. Excellent levels of communication throughout the business have contributed to our success.

It is satisfying when you hear about clients, such as Pauline Wilson, doing so well. I get to know about our clients’ continued success for the duration of their employment with Alpha, which provides excellent job satisfaction for me and for their own employment coaches.”

PPDG is one of the UK’s leading providers of Government-funded Welfare to Work initiatives. Working in partnership with Jobcentre Plus and other organisations, PPDG delivers employment and training initiatives helping disadvantaged job seekers in Birmingham, Solihull, West Bromwich, The Marches, Liverpool, Teesside and Islington, access the workplace or self-employment.