OUTDOOR PARTY AT AINSDALE BEACH

POLICE in Sefton are urging young people intending to go to a beach party in Ainsdale on Friday, 16 July 2010 to think again and not risk a brush with the law.

Ainsdale beach will be closed to revellers and large numbers of police, including officers on horses and in 4x4s, will be out in force to prevent a repeat of trouble at the same beach last year.

Merseyside Police intends to use powers granted under the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act (1994) to prevent this beach party from going ahead.

The act stats that Section 63 gives powers of entry and seizure to the police when dealing with musical gatherings on land in the open air and creates the offences in connection with such events. It will be the sub-clause of this section that will e used. The section states:-

(a) two or more persons are making preparations for the holding there of a gathering to which this section applies.

(b) ten or more persons are waiting for such a gathering to begin there.

(c) ten or more persons are attending such a gathering which is in progress, he may give a direction that those persons and any other persons who come to prepare or wait for or to attend the gathering are to leave the land and remove any vehicles or other property which they have with them on the land.

This ban comes after vandalism, criminal damage, illegal fires and extensive littering blighted Ainsdale beach after more than 600 revellers attended an outdoor party organised there in July 2009. That 'party' requiring an extensive clean-up operation and other problems for local residents, businesses and tourists.

The police, working with Sefton Council, British Transport Police, the fire service and the park ranger service, are determined not to let this happen again and are warning youngsters and their parents that the beach is effectively out of bounds for mass gatherings and that no party will be allowed to take place there.

Chief Superintendent Ian Pilling, the area commander for Sefton, said:- "People should be under no illusions; this beach party will not be allowed to go ahead. Of course young people want to be able to go out and have a good time but after the extensive trouble at a similar party last year, we are not prepared to allow this one to happen. It has been organised using social networking websites and we are in the process of letting youngsters know that there will be a large and highly-visible police presence on and around Ainsdale beach this weekend and that they will be wasting their time if they turn up. Of course young people want to have a good time and social networking sites can be a great way for them to meet up but beaches in Sefton late at night are not the way to do things. Last year a party at Ainsdale beach led to a great deal of vandalism, criminal damage and other alcohol-fuelled anti-social behaviour. Fires were started in the sand dunes using wood ripped from safety notices, people got into fights, and many youngsters put themselves in a very vulnerable situation where they were drunk on a beach late at night and not aware of things like the tide or how to get home safely. We want to make sure people do not come to any harm and that the beaches of Sefton remain clean and safe for everyone to enjoy. We are not prepared to trouble happen again and my officers will take a zero-tolerance approach against any large gatherings on Ainsdale beach this weekend. I would also appeal to parents of young people in and around Sefton to discourage their children from trying to take part in an event like this. Large, late night gatherings like this are not always the safest things for young people to go to and it really is not worth your child getting into trouble with the police over something they would normally steer clear of."

Residents and beach-goers are urged to call the Ainsdale dedicated neighbourhood team on:- 0151 709 6010 to report any concerns they have. In the event of an emergency, always call:- 999.

Avoid deadly holiday killer

LIVERPOOL City Council and Liverpool Primary Care Trust (PCT) are running a major awareness campaign to get people to buy carbon monoxide detectors that can help prevent a deadly risk to life abroad and which should also be used at home.

Both organisations have joined forces with the CO-Awareness campaign group to create a hard-hitting poster urging people to be aware of the dangers posed by faulty gas appliances abroad.

Councillor Louise Baldock is leading on the city’s campaign after tragically losing her partner to the silent killer over a decade ago.

Councillor Baldock said:- “I would hate anyone else to have to go through the pain and suffering that I went through when it is now so easily preventable. Everyone should have a carbon monoxide detector in their home but they should also remember to take one away with them. Holidays are a time for people to relax and enjoy a fun time with their family and friends – so be CO aware and make sure you stay safe.”

Carbon Monoxide (CO) is a colourless, odourless, highly poisonous gas that can kill in minutes. Carbon monoxide poisoning can be caused by cooking or heating equipment that isn’t properly maintained.

Blocked flues and poor ventilation can also cause CO poisoning. Holidaymakers should watch out for the symptoms which include: Mild headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, fatigue or drowsiness.

Children, pregnant women and their babies, the elderly and those with cardiovascular disease are most at risk.

A CO alarm can protect you and your family from the danger of poisoning. They cost around

£25 but must be approved to EN50291 standard. Details of your nearest supplier can be found by ringing:- 0800 1694 457.

Liverpool’s Director of Public Health Dr Paula Grey is writing to all NHS doctors’ surgeries to ask them to put up posters urging members of the public to become CO aware.

She said:- “Carbon Monoxide (CO) poisoning, often called the silent killer, can strike without warning whether you are at home or on holiday and is the cause of many deaths and injuries each year, particularly when staying in premises with poorly maintained gas appliances. Portable CO alarms are relatively inexpensive and can be bought on the high street. I would like to encourage families to ensure that when they are buying their sun cream that they also make sure they purchase a CO alarm – it could potentially save your life.”

Councillor Tim Moore, Liverpool’s cabinet member for the environment, said:- “No one wants to injure or lose a loved one to something that is preventable, so it is vital that we make sure as many people as possible are aware of this deadly issue and buy these highly portable detectors.”

CO-Awareness supports victims, their families and friends poisoned by Carbon Monoxide (CO) while trying to raise awareness among health professionals and the general public, of the dangers of CO. For further information contact Lynn on:- 07715 899296 or visit:- co-awareness.org.

CO-Awareness Week 2010 starts on Monday, 15 November 2010.

This year’s campaign has added importance as it falls in the city’s Year of Health and Wellbeing 2010.

 WITNESS APPEAL - RTC, LIME STREET

MERSEYSIDE Police are appealing for witnesses following a collision between a pedestrian and a bus on Lime Street n the morning of Tuesday, 13 July 2010. Merseyside Police Press Office told us that:- "Officers were called to the scene at 10.45am after receiving a report that a 49 year old woman had been in collision with a single decker bus. She has been taken to hospital to receive treatment for head injuries. The bus driver stopped at the scene and has been helping police with their enquiries. Anyone with any information is asked to call Merseyside Police Roads Policing Investigation Unit at Smithdown Lane Police Station on:- 0151 777 5771."