BURGLARY ADVICE LIVERPOOL NORTH

MERSEYSIDE Police Officers in Liverpool North are inviting residents to attend a community event at the Mecca Bingo Hall, East Prescot Road, West Derby on Tuesday, 17 August 2010.

Officers will be offering crime prevention advice and they will be given the opportunity to see how to maximise security of their homes with a new giant interactive model house.

The 8ft tall model is part of Merseyside Police's ongoing commitment to tackling burglary and the initiative aims to show people how to keep their homes secure.

Residents will also have the opportunity to meet with officers from the Liverpool North Burglary team and discuss any concerns they have about burglary in their area.

In certain areas of Liverpool North, officers will also be carrying out Operation Handle, whereby officers will try the handles of doors in the late evenings and through in to the night, in burglary hotspot areas. When a home is found insecure the officers alert the residents to highlight the vulnerability of their premises and advise them of security measures they can put in place to ensure they don't become victims of burglary.

Neighbourhood Inspector Steve Povall said:- "A large percentage of crime is committed by the opportunist thief - when a window is left open or a door unlocked. We hope that by holding these community events and carrying out operations, people are reassured that we are focussed on tackling the issue of burglary and that they are reminded to make their homes as secure as possible. Burglary will not be tolerated and we will continue to work with residents to drive down this type of crime."

Officers from Merseyside Police are reminding householders of basic security advice which may reduce their chances of becoming victims of crime:-

► Ask yourself the question – if you were locked out how would you get back in your house? Chances are if you can work it out so can a burglar.

► Always lock your front door from inside - in particular UPVc front doors are often left unlocked when people are in their house and offenders know this and will try UPVc doors to check if they are an easy point of access.

► If you can, try and leave a light on or use a timer switch during the evening if you are going to be out of your house

► Only have ground floor windows open if you are to be in that room for a period of time.

► Do not leave back doors open or unlocked if you are to be upstairs for any length of time as burglars often gain access to people's property from rear gardens.

► Do not leave upstairs windows open when you are going out.

► Lock away all your garden tools including ladders as burglars could use these to enter your property.

► Try not to leave valuable items such as TV, hi-fi systems, video or DVD where thieves can see them.

► Post mark your property your belongings visibly and permanently with your postcode and house

► When going on holiday make sure milk deliveries are cancelled, post is collected and if possible get friends or family to check on your property. Always check your front and back door are secure even if you are in, burglaries can often occur via insecure back doors whilst residents are at home watching television.

► Secure your shed and garage properly. Don't leave tools lying around

► Phone Merseyside Police if you see anything or anyone suspicious who you do not recognise or who you are not expecting such as a window cleaner or builder. The chances are they are genuine trades people but if you are unsure make a note of the date, time, description of the person (s) and report it to us.

If you have any c;-oncerns or issues you would like to speak to us about then please call us on 0151 709 6010 and ask to speak to your local neighbourhood team. Alternatively you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on:- 0800 555 111. For further crime prevention information or details on how to contact your local neighbourhood policing team please visit:- merseyside.police.uk.

Southport solicitors urged to demonstrate their talents and enter the Law Society Excellence Awards

THE closing date for entries to the most prestigious awards in the legal calendar is fast approaching. Teams and individuals now have just under two weeks to submit their nominations by 20 August 2010, to gain recognition for their achievements as outstanding practitioners in the legal sector.

BBC Broadcaster Mishal Husain will present the awards at a prestigious celebration dinner on 21 October 2010 at Old Billingsgate, London.

Following the outstanding success of the Excellence Awards since their inauguration in 2007 they are now established as the leading awards for the profession in the legal calendar.

The awards recognise and reward the most outstanding practitioners in the legal professions and are open to individuals and teams across the entire legal sector, not just solicitors.

The wide range of categories reflect the diverse work of the profession. Individuals are invited to enter one of six categories to win the title of legal executive, solicitor advocate, junior lawyer or solicitor of the year 'in-house' or 'private practice'.

Teams are encouraged to compete for awards in client service, innovation, equality & diversity, environmental responsibility, marketing & business development, practice management, exporting legal services and community investment.

The Excellence Awards reward and promote excellence across the legal profession and celebrate outstanding achievement in areas that are central to the profession today. They demonstrate that lawyers continue to innovate and to deliver work of the highest quality despite the challenging economic climate.

Law Society Vice President Linda Lee said:- "Winning a Law Society Excellence Award is a huge achievement and brings great recognition for individuals and firms. I would encourage practitioners from all types of practices and backgrounds to submit a nomination and demonstrate their talents. Winning an award is more than recognition from their professional colleagues, it is also a symbol of quality to members of the public."

Nominations are open until 20 August 2010. For details and to download a nomination form Law Society's website.

Mobile Phone Thefts - Southport

SOUTHPORT Town Centre has been targeted by a pickpocket who has been stealing mobile phones. Merseyside Police have been made aware of quite a few thefts over the last few weeks. If you know any information that could help capture the pickpocket, call Crimestoppers anonymously via calling:- 0800 555 111. It is thought by local businesses that the pickpocket is known to police and lives locally. It has also been reported to us that other areas in the vicinity of Southport have also been targeted. If you do find your phone has been stolen, contact your phone provider and cancel the sim and block the phone, then contact the police with your phone’s model and serial code.

SENTENCING OF TAXI DRIVER FOR DRINK DRIVING

MERSEYSIDE Police have issued a warning motorists who drink drive they will not avoid prosecution by consuming alcohol after they have been caught.

The warning follows the sentencing of a Southport taxi driver on Tuesday, 3 August 2010, at North Sefton Magistrates' Court.

Michael Gavin, aged 60, of Shaftesbury Road, was arrested on suspicion of drink driving after he was involved in a RTC on Liverpool Road in Birkdale on 26 April 2010.

Prior to the arrival of police, Mr Gavin left the scene and returned home where he was found by officers who believed he was under the influence of alcohol and subsequently arrested him.

He claimed the alcohol in his system was consumed after the incident but analysis revealed he was at least one and a half times over the legal drink drive limit at the time of the collision.

Mr Gavin was given a three-year driving disqualification, an 18 month supervision order, told to attend a drink impaired driving course and ordered to pay £85 costs.

PC Sean Bennett, from the Roads Policing team, said:- "A common attitude taken by drink drivers is that if they manage to have a drink after the incident they will get off with it and not face prosecution but that is simply not true. We take all cases of drink or drug impaired driving extremely seriously and will seek to take drivers to court to face justice in every possible instance. Ultimately drink driving can kill and maim innocent people. It can have a huge impact on victims and their loved ones as well as offenders whose lives can also be ruined as they face the loss of their jobs and possibly a custodial sentence."