THEFT OF METAL

AS you may have seen in the national press, due to the increased value of metal, thieves are now targeting many types of metal, typically lead and copper but increasingly also steel.  Whilst roofs are the most likely targets, particularly on churches, other sources of metal such as garden statues can be at risk. There have also been incidents whereby thieves have broken into Electrical Sub-Stations to steal the metal cabling from inside.

"If you see anyone acting suspiciously around your local churches or sub-stations please ensure that you inform the local police.  The police nationally and locally are aware of this issue and are mounting a number of operations to intercept materials.   There are several ways in which you could reduce your risk of becoming a victim of this sort of crime (as stated, often aimed at churches for lead and also empty properties for copper boilers/piping.)

Maximise surveillance level of your property, including cutting back tall trees and vegetation around buildings which could provide a screen to hide criminal activities.  Consider the installation of security lighting, particularly at roof level where metal roof coverings are present.

I would encourage the local community to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the police, particularly the unexpected arrival of workmen.

Make the thieves' job more difficult be removing any easy access onto building roofs, such as water butts, waste bins and tall trees located in close proximity to the building.

Prickly planting can be used in a variety of ways. Most commonly they are used to reinforce existing boundaries, for instance by growing alongside perimeter fences. They could also be used more strategically and make access routes onto roofs less attractive.

Apply anti-climb paint to drain pipes and roof guttering to restrict access to roofing. The paint should not be applied below a height of 2m and a warning notice indicating it has been applied should be prominently displayed.

Remove any easy means of transporting stolen goods, such as wheelbarrows and wheelie bins, to a secure storage area.

Please remember it is not usually domestic houses that are targeted for these metal thefts and thieves concentrate more on industrial premises/churches. As such I would ask that you all remain vigilant about the buildings around you and report any suspicious activities to the police."  said Inspector Tony Jones of Merseyside Police.

New mural to bring communities together

INTERNATIONAL street artist Mohammed Ali – also known as Aerosol Arabic – is joining young people from Liverpool to create a mural aimed at bringing communities together.  The concept of the mural, at Tunnage Square in Ropewalks, has involved pupils from Calderstones School and the Liverpool Supplementary School run by the Muslim Enterprise Development Service and has been developed by Mohammed.  The themes of his work include learning, brotherhood, tolerance and understanding and this project aims to use street art to bring people from different backgrounds together to create an attractive piece of art which will not only have a real impact but a lasting legacy.  It is a key community cohesion project organised by Citysafe – Liverpool’s community safety partnership. 

Mohammed Ali said:- "Decorating our urban grey spaces with a bit of colour, but also bringing something meaningful is important to me, using art as a means to bring about social change, which is crucial in the times we live in.”

Alison Stathers –Tracey, assistant director for community safety, said;- “Mohammed is a world renowned artist akin to Banksy and we are very pleased that he is doing this work with us.  It is an imaginative way of bridging cultures and bringing different communities together through street art.  The exact nature of the work will be shown as the mural takes shape but it is bound to be thought-provoking and prompt debate about art in a multi-cultural society.  We have consulted with the Ropewalks Stakeholders Group and they feel it is appropriate that this mural should be created in an area which is a creative hub.”

Maritime extravaganza Springs to life

TALL Ships, a Shanty Festival, Regattas and historic canal boats will all be part of a maritime spectacular on the River Mersey. Spring on the Waterfront is a FREE 10 day festival running from Friday 29 April 211, until Sunday 8 May 2011. It is packed full of more than 100 events for the whole family on land and on water.

Liverpool City Council has announced the programme for the maritime extravaganza with highlights including:

A special visit by some of the world’s most famous Tall Ships including Astrid, Pelican of London, Oosterschelde and STA Stavros S Niarchos which is the first new tall ship built in Britain for more than 12 years. Visitors will be given the chance to board the ships as well as square-rigger Zebu and Ruth, to watch demonstrations of sailor skills and to meet the crew.

A Shanty Festival where performers will take to a floating stage in Salthouse Dock and the quayside will be filled with songs and music from Liverpool’s golden age of sailing ships. Local acts will be joined by performers from the USA and Europe.

Yachts from all over the North West will compete in two exciting regattas on the Mersey – the Liverpool Kindred Clubs Regatta 29 April to 2 May 2011) and the Royal Mersey Spring Regatta 7May to 8 May 2011, which will both see multihulls, nobbies and yachts compete for first place.

Canal boats will take over Salthouse Dock, giving everyone the chance to tour some of the historic vessels and see the canal boat tug-of-war.

Water lovers can make the most of free taster sessions of dinghy sailing, windsurfing, wakeboarding, kayaking, canoeing and paddleboards at the Watersports Centre.

A special food and drink festival located at the Pier Head will showcase the very best local produce.

Street theatre will add an element of maritime madness to the occasion with entertainment ranging from mime and clowns to jugglers.

Many bars, restaurants and shops on the Albert Dock will be offering free special activities for customers, including Gusto which will be giving children the chance to create their own pizzas.

Fascinating guided walks will explore the UNESCO World Heritage Waterfront, and visitors can discover how Liverpool transformed from a tiny fishing village to the second city of the Empire.  And, as the event launches on the same day as a very special wedding, organisers have made sure visitors will not miss out, with a Royal Wedding salute performed by the historic canal boats between 11.30am and midday. The Royal Wedding will be shown on a giant screen at Liverpool ONE, which will also host a street party.

Liverpool City Council’s Head of Events, Judith Feather, said:- “Spring on the Waterfront is set to be a fantastic event and it’s a real credit to the maritime industry and other regional organisations who have worked with us at short notice to make it possible.  The number of free activities on offer means there really is something for everyone, and it’s a great way of keeping everyone entertained without breaking the bank!  The event is also a taster of what to expect in September when the hugely popular Mersey River Festival returns. Our iconic waterfront will be showcased at its very best and we’re looking forward to thousands of people converging on the Pier Head for what will be a wonderful occasion.”

The city council has been working in partnership with Liverpool Vision, the city’s economic development company, to organise Spring on the Waterfront.

Chief Executive of Liverpool Vision, Max Steinberg, said:- “We’ve had fantastic support from Liverpool businesses and the city is making the best of its main attractions.  Spring on the Waterfront will not only be a great day out for families, but it will also provide a valuable injection into the economy and showcase our World Heritage Site and magnificent waterfront in the best possible way.”

For full details and times of all the events taking place during the festival visit:- liverpoolonthewaterfront.co.uk/spring. 

Organisations supporting the event are Liverpool City Council, Liverpool Vision, Decade of Health and Wellbeing, Liverpool ONE, Inland Waterways, European Regional Development Fund, Merseytravel, Tate Liverpool, National Museums Liverpool, Comedy Festival, Liverpool Marina, British Waterways, Sail Training, Gower Street Estates, The Mersey Partnership, the Albert Dock Company, Geraud and the Watersports Centre.