APPEAL TO TRACE A POTENTIAL WITNESS IN SOUTHPORT MURDER

MERSEYSIDE Police Detectives investigating the murder of Antony Johnson in Southport last week have released a CCTV image of a man they believe was in the area at the time and may have witnessed a potentially related incident.

Officers believe the man pictured acted as the peacemaker in a separate incident in the Waverley Street area of the town centre just before Mr Johnson was fatally injured during a disturbance at around 4am on 30 December 2009.

In this separate incident the man intervened in an altercation between two woman and three men, attempting the diffuse the situation and calm the situation down.

He is described as white, aged between 20 and 30, of medium build, with dark hair. He has wearing a dark-coloured jacket.

Detectives investigating Mr Johnson's murder are satisfied Mr Johnson was not involved in this altercation between the two women and three men in Waverley Street

They are appealing for the man pictured or anyone else who was in the area at the time of both incidents (4am), particularly anyone who was at the taxi rank in Lord Street opposite the bandstand, to come forward with whatever information they have.

Detective Inspector David Keegan, who is part of the enquiry team, said:- "We are still trying to trace some potential witnesses who were in the area at the time Antony Johnson suffered what were to become fatal head injuries during an incident in Lord Street on 30 December 2009. I would appeal for anyone who was out that night - the early hours of the Wednesday before New Years Eve - and who saw anything untoward going on in Lord Street or Waverley Street at around 4am, to come forward if they haven't done so already.

I would particularly like to hear from a man who tried to break up a heated argument between two women and three men in Waverley Street.

We believe this was a separate incident which happened very nearby and therefore this man may have seen something that could be crucial to our investigation.

If you are the man pictured, please get in touch with the police. You are not in any trouble, we just need to know if you witnessed anything that could help us."

Anyone with information is asked to call Sefton CID on:- 0151 777 3165 or Crimestoppers anonymously on:- 0800 555 111.

WITNESS APPEAL - ARMED ROBBERY, SOMERFIELD, COUNTY ROAD

MERSEYSIDE Police Detectives are appealing for witnesses after an armed robbery at a supermarket in Kirkdale on Monday, 11 January 2010. Officers were called to the Somerfield store in County Road shortly after 5.30pm following reports that a man armed with a knife had threatened staff and demanded money.  He then escaped on foot down Lowell Street having stolen a significant amount of cash.  The offender is described a white, around 5ft 8ins tall, of stocky build, and was wearing a black scarf around his face and a dark-coloured coat with the hood up. He spoke with a local accent and detectives believe he may have been part of a larger group. No-one was hurt during the incident but staff were left shaken by their ordeal.  Anyone with information is asked to call the north Liverpool robbery team on:- 0151 777 4808 or leave information anonymously via Crimestoppers on:- 0800 555 111.

Almunia backs North West Euro MP Arlene McCarthy in warning bailed-out banks not to use taxpayers' money for bonuses

LOCAL Euro MP Arlene McCarthy, the Vice President of the European Parliament's Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee, on Tuesday, 12 January 2010, urged Competition Commissioner-designate, Joaquín Almunia, to use his powers to ensure taxpayers never again have to bail out the financial sector.  Arlene said:- "The public are furious that bankers intend to pay themselves billions of Euros in bonuses from profits made on the back of massive taxpayer support given to rescue the banking system. Mr Almunia has given a commitment that he will join us in standing up for taxpayers, consumers and investors and delivered a clear message to the banks at his hearing today that profits from public subsidy must not be paid out in bonuses. He pledged to look very very closely at how banks are using public subsidies." Mr Almunia also pledged his support to Arlene's call for a financial transaction tax or bank levy to ensure taxpayers do not bear the cost of future bail-outs.  Arlene said:- "Mr Almunia clearly stated that the public should never again have to pay for the excessive risk taking of bankers and that banks should be made to take responsibility for their failings through a levy or financial transaction tax."

ARMED ROBBERY - ST OSWALDS STREET, OLD SWAN

POLICE Detectives on Merseyside are investigating an armed robbery in St Oswalds Street, Old Swan are appealing to the public for information.  Officers were called are around 7.45pm on Sunday, 3 January, when a 56 year old man was at the cashpoint outside of the Tesco supermarket. He was approached from behind by a man who threatened him with a pair of scissors and forced him to withdraw a substantial amount of money from the cashpoint. The victim was uninjured but was left shaken by the ordeal.  The offender is described as white, 5ft 8-10in tall, slim build and around 18 years old. He was wearing a dark coloured Nike jacket with his hood up and dark trousers. He also wore a dark coloured baseball cap and spoke with a Liverpool accent.  Detective Inspector Neil Clarke said:- "This Tesco store is well used and I'm hopeful that one of the many customers at the store may have seen something that could help with our investigation. The victim did try to get away from the offender before he produced the scissors, so someone may have seen this scuffle in the car park. This was a very traumatic experience for the victim, and I would appeal to anyone who witnessed anything to come forward and make contact."  Anyone who witnessed this incident or who has any information is asked to contact St Anne's Street CID on:- 0151 777 4808 or Crimestoppers anonymously on:- 0800 555 111.