MERSEYSIDE POLICE OFFERS FANS SOME PRE-SEASON ADVICE

WITH the new football season about to get under way, Merseyside Police is offering advice to football fans to help them enjoy the upcoming season.  Assistant Chief Constable Andy Ward, said:- "We want football fans from Merseyside to have an enjoyable and memorable season. Merseyside Police works in partnership with the football clubs across Merseyside to ensure that the behaviour of a limited number of individuals does not affect the enjoyment of genuine fans attending matches. Fake or forged tickets are always a potential risk at matches, particularly where the demand for tickets is great. Matchgoers should also be aware that tickets are vigorously checked before entry. Don't waste your money on tickets from touts, and make sure your ticket is from a reputable source before you travel, so that you won't be disappointed on the day. Finally, I would urge all fans to be aware of the risks of consuming too much alcohol. It is an offence to be drunk or even attempt to enter a football ground whilst drunk. Police and stewards will be extremely alert to this and anyone attempting to enter the ground while drunk may be arrested. Why run the risk of missing the match? I would ask them to act responsibly but I also want them to enjoy what I am sure will be a fantastic season."  Ian Ross, Head of Public Relations, Everton Football Club added that:- "Everton Football Clubs fully backs Merseyside Police's stance with regard to fake or forged tickets - and also its hard-line approach to excessive drinking on match-days. Those whom our stewards believe have consumed too much alcohol simply will not be permitted entry to our stadium. Ours is a family club - we are determined to provide a friendly and safe environment for those wish to watch senior fixtures."

Businesses Given Free Access To Thousands Of New Opportunities

EVERY small business in the North West will now have free access to thousands of lower value government contracts on the Government’s website:- www.supply2.gov.uk.

For three years, supply2.gov.uk has advertised thousands of public sector procurement opportunities worth up to £100,000 – making the website ideally suited to small and medium sized businesses.

The fee that was previously charged to search the site across the UK will now be removed, providing firms with better access to public sector contracts to help their businesses grow.

Business Minister Shriti Vadera said:- “Small businesses are facing significant pressure in this downturn and new contracts are essential for their return to growth. We want to support small businesses by making it easier to access the thousands of Government procurement opportunities that are directly relevant to them. This free service is an interim step along the way to introducing a single website for all public sector contracts next year.”

Economic Secretary to the Treasury, Ian Pearson said:- "Small and medium sized businesses are a crucial part of the UK economy and in these challenging times it is essential that we support them in as many ways as possible. By introducing a free to use national search service we are helping to create a level playing field on which SMEs can compete with their larger counterparts. This will realise benefits for SMEs, the economy as a whole, and help drive further innovation in public services. Companies in the South West will benefit from this change. Once such company is Wiltshire basked Certification International (UK) Ltd. Certification International provides certification services against international standards to companies round the world."

Chris Fletcher, Deputy Chief Executive and Policy Director at Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce, said:- "Greater Manchester Chamber welcomes the announcement making supply2.gov free to search as this will benefit small businesses across our region. Giving businesses better access to Government contracts will help during this challenging period."

Searching for lower-value contracts across the UK was previously only available as part of a commercial subscription service, which cost up to £180 per year.

This announcement is a move towards delivering on a key recommendation outlined in the Glover Review - that by the end of 2010 all public sector contract opportunities should be accessible through a single, free online web portal.

MFH ELIZABETH CARTER

MERSEYSIDE Police are now appealing for the public's help in finding a vulnerable woman who went missing in the Wallasey area of Wirral ON Sunday, 9 August 2009.

Elizabeth Carter, aged 66, of Leyburn Avenue, Wallasey, was reported missing by her son at 2.20pm after she failed to come home from St Hillary's Church in Claremont Road, where she had been since 12 noon and 2pm.

Mrs Carter left behind some of her belongings in church, including her cardigan and a bag containing money, and police are growing increasingly concerned about her safety. She suffers from Alzheimer's disease and depression and has gone missing once before, on August 5, but was found in Seabank Road, Wallasey, by her family.

A large-scale police operation was launched on Saturday, 8 August 2009 to find Mrs Carter. Extra police officers were drafted in to help Wirral neighbourhood teams search Wallasey and the surrounding area into the early hours and the search is continued on Sunday, 9 August 2009.

The Force's helicopter was mobilised and search dogs have been used. The Ports Police and Coastguard have been alerted and Mrs Carter's details have been circulated among taxi drivers and bus and train operators.

Superintendent Mike Cloherty from the Wirral Command Team, said:- "The police and Elizabeth's family and friends are growing increasingly concerned for her safety and I would like to ask the public for their in finding her. Elizabeth had attended church at St Hillary's as normal, where she was seen by the priest and members of the congregation, right up until around 2pm. However she has then failed to return home and the fact that she has left her things in church, along with her current medical condition, is a real concern. Her family are deeply worried and just want to know where she is and that she is safe and well. I would urge Elizabeth or anyone who has seen her to get in touch straight away, either with the police or through the Missing Persons Helpline."

Elizabeth was wearing a pale yellow t-shirt, light green trousers and blue and white canvas shoes when she was last seen at St Hillary's church at 2pm.

Anyone with information is asked to call Merseyside Police on:- 0151 777 2997 or the National Missing Persons Helpline o:-n 0500 700 700.

Electoral Commission reminds voters to "Get set for a General Election"

THE UK's Electoral Commission, the independent elections watchdog, is reminding potential voters that now’s the time to make sure you are on the electoral register ahead of the forthcoming General Election and English local elections.  Local authorities are currently sending out registration forms to households across the country to make sure the registers are up to date so that everyone who is entitled to vote can do so. "More people vote in General Elections than in other UK elections - but you can’t vote if you’re not on the electoral register. Our next General Election must be held by June 2010, so everyone should take a few minutes to complete the registration form when it arrives. Remember: you’re not automatically entitled to vote just because you pay council tax or have voted before. Make sure nothing stops you from having your say on who represents you." says Electoral Commission Chief Executive, Peter Wardle.  Voters – especially those voting at a General Election for the first time, can find out more about what’s involved and visit the Commission’s virtual polling station at:- aboutmyvote.co.uk.