76% of people in the North West support “smokefree”, two years on

NEW research shows a lifesaving law to protect people from smoke is as popular as ever on the second anniversary of it being introduced on 1 July 2007, all public places and workplaces became smoke free, including shops, offices, factories, pubs, cafes, restaurants, membership clubs and work vehicles.

The 2009 national YouGov survey of 13,000 people, broken down by region, found that in the North West:-

· 76% of people in the region say they support the smokefree law, with just 15% opposing

· 87% of people say the law is good for the health of most workers

· 79% of people say the law is good for their own health.

The Health Act was aimed at protecting workers from the lethal effects of exposure to secondhand smoke, which increases the risks of heart disease and lung cancer. In the North West region, smoking is the single greatest cause of preventable illness and premature death, accounting for around 14,000 deaths annually.

Andrea Crossfield, Director of Smokefree North West, said:- “This new research demonstrates just how strongly people in the North West feel about the smokefree law. The vast majority of people do not want adults or children to breathe in other people’s smoke. 22% of 14 to 17 year olds claim to smoke in the North West, and since 380,000 children of this age live here, that means 83,600 of them smoke.* This is why we need to do more to make cigarettes less attractive, and why we are urging MPs to back the current Health Bill in Parliament to put cigarettes out of sight and out of reach for youngsters.”

Other separate studies from England and Scotland tracking smoking before and after the smokefree law highlighted that it did not result in a general increase in smoking in the home.

*(TSNW Survey 2007)

MISSING FROM HOME - GEORGE ANTHONY PRICE

MERSEYSIDE Police are this week becoming increasingly concerned for the welfare of George Anthony Price, 68, who has been missing from his Waterloo home since Saturday, 13 June 2009.

He is described as white, 6ft 2in tall, of slim build, with a shaved bald head, tanned complexion and green eyes.

George frequents the Sefton and Wavertree areas and police believe he may be in Chester.

Anyone who has seen Mr Price or who knows of his whereabouts is asked to contact police on:- 0151 777 73083 or Missing People on:- 0500 700 700.

CHIEF CONSTABLE'S TALKBACK EVENT IN NORTH LIVERPOOL

MERSEYSIDE Police Chief Constable, Bernard Hogan-Howe, will be in Liverpool on Monday, July 6 2009 for a Community Talk Back Event.  Your views and opinions about the issues that impact on your feelings of safety and quality of life are important to us. By telling us about them, you can help us determine how we will deliver local policing.  The Community Talkback Event will take place from 7pm to 9pm at Archbishop Beck Catholic Sports College, Cedar Road, Fazakerley, Liverpool, L9 9AF.  This event is your opportunity to get an update on policing in your local area and raise any issues or concerns regarding local policing.  Please come along and have your say.

ATTEMPTED ARMED ROBBERY - WARBRECK MOOR

MERSEYSIDE Police have started an investigation into an attempted armed robbery at Warbreck Moor dental surgery on Wednesday, 24 June 2009.

At around 4.30pm, a man entered the surgery armed with a knife and demanded money from the receptionist. The receptionist then shouted at him and he ran empty handed from the surgery towards Walton Vale. No-one was injured during this incident but the surgery was fairly full at the time.

The man is described as around 18 years of age, 5ft 8in tall, of slim build and wearing dark clothing and black shiny opaque tights on his head.

Detectives investigating this incident are urging anyone who may have witnessed this man enter the surgery or who may have saw him running from the scene to come forward. Warbreck Moor is a busy road and officers are also keen to speak to motorists who may have seen anything suspicious.

Liverpool Music Week will be held in November this year (2009). For more information visit:- liverpoolmusicweek.co.uk.

POLICE ISSUE ADVICE TO TACKLE BURGLARY

A recent spate of Burglaries in the Norris Green, Fazakerley and Rice Lane areas has highlighted the need for people to securely lock their double glazed doors using the key on the inside to deadlock the door. Criminals have been using home made devices to bypass the 5 pin locking mechanism on UPVC doors, when the doors are not locked with the key.

John Smith, a Neighbourhood Sergeant from Croxteth, Norris Green and Clubmoor states:- "As the police continue to crack down on criminals and people become more aware of home security, burglars need to find more ways of gaining entry into houses. Some people think that by lifting the handle on the inside of a UPVC door, they have secured it, but burglars are still able to gain access by using a device to force open the lock. The only way to fully secure any door is to lock it with a key. By doing this, residents can help stamp out these types of burglaries, and make it harder for criminals."

Enquires are ongoing to identify the offenders responsible and the local Neighbourhood Team is carrying out high visibility patrols and home security checks in the area to help prevent further crimes.

Many burglaries can be prevented by residents being more home security aware. By taking a few simple precautions you can greatly reduce the risk of becoming a victim of burglary:-

Always lock your windows and doors (including garages and sheds).

If you have UPVC doors, lock them from the inside once you get home.

Always check your front and back doors are secure even if you are in the house. Some burglars will still attempt to break in, even if the house is occupied.

Keep your house and car keys out of sight, away from doors and windows – don’t leave them in the door or on visible hooks.

Use security lights outside your house.

Do not leave garden tools out in your back garden – not only are they easy to steal, but they can be used as tools to break in.

If you have information about who is committing crime in your area, call Merseyside Police on:- 0151 709 6010 or you can contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on:- 0800 555 111.