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POLICE SEIZED
171 BIKES IN CRACKDOWN ON ILLEGAL AND ANTI SOCIAL USE OF SCRAMBLER
BIKES
MERSEYSIDE Police Officers
across Merseyside have seized 171 scrambler/off road bikes, and
arrested 35 people, as part of a summer crackdown on the illegal and
anti-social use of off road bikes.
The 8 week initiative, which took place throughout the summer,
targeted riders of bikes who have a complete disregard for decent,
law-abiding members in their communities. Particular attention was
paid to areas identified by communities as hotspots for riders
involved in the illegal, or anti-social use of scramblers.
Neighbourhood officers in all of the Basic Command Units (Liverpool
North, Liverpool South, Wirral, Sefton, St Helens and Knowsley) were
supported by officers from the specialist Matrix team, Roads
Policing Department, Vehicle Crime and the mounted and dog sections.
Superintendent Paul White, who was in charge of the initiative,
said:- "Operation Brookdale demonstrates the Force's
commitment to tackling the criminal and anti-social use of
scramblers or quad bikes. Working together with local people and
partner agencies, we are determined to tackle riders who are
blighting our neighbourhoods. Our communities should be reassured
that Merseyside Police is working hard to take nuisance vehicles,
and and the criminals who use them, off our roads. In the last eight
weeks we have seized 171 bikes, 122 of which were stolen and a
further 18 are believed to be stolen. We have also arrested 35
people across the county for various offences including theft,
handling of stolen goods, unauthorised taking of a motor vehicle,
drink drive, dangerous driving, assault, burglary and robbery. 171
bikes can no longer be used on the streets of Merseyside and since
the start of the operation we have seen calls in relation to the
anti-social/nuisance use of bikes reduce from 249 (in the 1st week
of the operation) to 132 in the last week of the initiative - a 46%
reduction, which means a lot of people will be seeing the benefits
of quieter streets and less crime. During the campaign officers
visited schools to educate and inform young people about the risks
of using this type of bike and we will continue to work with young
people in the coming months. I would like the take this opportunity
to thank the communities that assisted and supported us during the
operation. Hopefully their lives are a little more peaceful as a
result of this activity."
Nicky Woods, the mother of Liam Clark who was seriously injured when
2 off-road motorbikes collided at the Dream sculpture in Sutton
Manor, St Helens, last September, said:- "To me the seizure of
171 bikes by the police in the last eight weeks means that there
were 171 incidents where there was potential for someone to suffer
the same fate as Liam did 12 months ago. The removal of these bikes
means that the risk for another 171 families has been removed from
the streets. Nobody should suffer like Liam has in the last 12
months and I hope that the police will continue to target the people
who ride these bikes illegally on our roads and put others' lives in
danger."
Whilst Merseyside Police Commissioner Jane Kennedy said:-
"These figures show that Operation Brookdale has been a fantastic
success. I have repeatedly heard from members of the Merseyside
public that the illegal and anti-social use of motorcycles and quads
is an issue that concerns them. This force-wide crackdown has
directly addressed and tackled this problem. By taking these
vehicles off our roads and footpaths and by arresting those
responsible, Merseyside Police have made all our communities safer.
Such a dramatic fall in the number of complaints to the Force during
the campaign is overwhelming evidence of the operation's success and
is testament to the skill and dedication of the officers and staff
at Merseyside Police."
The operation was also supported by all 5 local authorities in
Merseyside. Councillor Peter Brennan, Mayoral lead for community
safety and Chair of Liverpool's Community Safety Partnership
Citysafe, said:- "Scrambler bikes can cause a huge amount of
disruption in our communities. It has been proven that they are
often used in crimes and they can be extremely dangerous. The
statistics from this operation speak for themselves and demonstrate
clearly the value of carrying out a crackdown. We fully support and
back Merseyside Police in their pursuit to rid our communities of
these bikes which are used in anti social behaviour."
Formby Viking Medieval Market 2013
ON 5 October 2013, the
Formby Viking Medieval Market will be held at The Guild Hall, Church
Road, Formby, Merseyside from 10am to 4pm. The event is a Viking and
Medieval re-enactment event, which includes a large market, living
history displays, archaeology and history displays, archery, runes,
combat and crafts, etc. Keep an eye on here for more information. |
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Range High
School's LAMDA results are ground for celebration
FORMBY'S Range High School
has students with ages ranging from 11 to 18 and is well known in
the North West for is high standards. Recently some of it's puples
had recived their LAMDA (London Academy of Music & Dramatic Arts)
Examination results and again, its students and staff have done
well. Michelle Pappini, Drama teacher at Range said:- "These
students have worked very hard for their LAMDA exams and they should
be very proud of themselves. The Year 9 and Year 10 Drama Club
students performed duologues which they had chosen and directed
themselves and they are now looking forward to their next
examinations. Range High School would like to say congratulations to
them all!"
North West girls to 'walk the
world'
SCHOOLGIRLS in the North
West are set to take part in one of the biggest UK charity walks
ever attempted. Manchester, Liverpool and Cheshire schools have
signed-up to the World Wide Walk, covering routes across the country
on International Day of the Girl, 11 October 2013. The walk will
raise money to help educate some of the world's poorest girls
through global children's charity Plan UK's Because I am a Girl
campaign.
"We'll be walking in solidarity with the 66 million school aged
girls around the world who are missing out on an education. Poverty,
discrimination and child marriage are among the many barriers
keeping millions out of school. Plan UK is using its campaign to
make a positive, lasting difference to the lives of four million of
the world's poorest girls." says Plan UK's chief executive
Tanya Barron.
The Girls' School Association is partnering Plan UK for the day,
with more than 30 schools already signed-up for synchronised walks
across the country.
Joining schools across the country are Withington Girls' School in
Manchester, Liverpool's Merchant Taylors' School for Girls, Alderley
Edge School for Girls and The Queen's School, Chester.
Each girl will walk 10km, adding up to more than 40,000km,
equivalent to the circumference of the globe.
Organisers hope to raise £250,000 through sponsorship (£50 each) to
help girls access quality education, healthcare and prevent abuse
such as early and forced marriage.
"We'll be walking side by side to raise awareness of and funds for
some of the world's poorest out of school girls. To walk the
equivalent distance of the circumference of the globe is a massive
undertaking, but 1 we're excited to be part of. We're proud to be
supporting Plan's vital work and hope world leaders hear our
message; that girls everywhere have the right to a quality
education." says GSA President Hilary French.
Plan's 'Because I am a Girl' campaign aims to support
4,000,000 girls to get the education, choices and support they need
to move themselves from a life of poverty, to a future with
opportunity. To find out more visit:-
becauseiamgirl.org.
County community champions
recognised
UNSUNG heroes and heroines
in Walton will be recognised at a special awards evening. The County
Celebration Night; now in its 3rd year; rewards the work of
individuals and organisations that make a major difference to life
in the area. More than 30 prizes will be given out during the event
at Walton Social Club on Thursday, 12 September 2013. Hundreds of
pounds will be given to Local Solutions to help them with a project
which keeps people at risk of domestic violence safe, and the Hope
Homeless group will also get funding. Councillor Gerard Woodhouse,
Mayoral Lead for Older People and County ward councillor, said:-
"There are so many people who make a real difference in County
and make it a great place to live. The County Celebration Night is
an opportunity to say thanks and let them know that their work is
very much appreciated." The winners include carers,
sheltered accommodation staff, a residents association, school
pupils and social housing providers. A number of lifetime
achievement awards will also be handed out to people who have made a
significant contribution to the community over many years. Some of
the prizes, which include meals, vouchers and flowers, have been
provided by sponsors the Flanagan Group.
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