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Bank of England Building on
Castle Street Update
Photos by Marcus Cullman.
MERSEYSIDE Police confirmed this week
that a 42 year old woman had been arrested for obstructing Police officers and
was also later arrested on suspicion of handling stolen goods. This comes as a
number of people had been removed from the former Bank of England Building on
Castle Street, in Liverpool City Centre, on Tuesday, 12 May 2015. Due to the
unlawful breach of the interim Warrant of Possession a decision was made to
enter the premises and at about 5.25am a cordon was put in place around the
building as a precautionary measure. In total during that incident 4 men, aged
20, 20, 22, 50, and a 19 year old woman were arrested for trespassing during the
currency of a possession order. The 19 year old was also arrested criminal
damage and an offence under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation
Areas) Act 1990. Just after the news broke of the arrests Chief Superintendent
Jon Ward QPM, told the media that:- "The safety of both the public and the
occupying group have been the top priority throughout this operation. The
decision to take this action today has not been taken lightly. Merseyside Police
is clear that while we will facilitate peaceful protest we will not tolerate
disorder, criminal or anti social behaviour during any demonstration. Since this
group forced entry to the building numerous calls have been received by the
Police from members of the public regarding the anti-social behaviour of some of
the trespassers, and some of their associated supporters in the street. This has
included littering, urinating from the upper floors of the building into the
street below and noise and swearing. This group was issued with an interim
Warrant of Possession from a court which they chose not to adhere to and they
were also advised by Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service that people utilising
and residing inside the property were at risk. Despite knowing the risks the
group made a decision to remain inside the property. Since the warrant was
issued the group have been committing an offence by unlawfully residing there
and my officers have legally, Under power of entry for this offence pursuant to
Section 17 Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984, had the ability to enter the
property and arrest those inside... Instead, during the last 25 days my officers
have tried to negotiate with the members of the group on numerous occasions and
have asked them to leave the premises both verbally and in written form to
avail. The group were also warned that officers may take a decision to gain
entry to the building to arrest them if they did not leave. Representatives from
the Whitechapel Centre have attended the building on numerous occasions offering
support and arranging solutions for the homeless people and rough sleepers
there. Part of this support was to offer accommodation to those who wanted it. A
decision was made to enter the premises to arrest those inside for various
offences this morning. This action was appropriate and proportionate given the
risks involved. At the present time none of the people arrested have been
identified as being homeless or rough sleepers. The force is working with the
local authority to give guidance to owners regarding the security of their
buildings. This is something we routinely carry out as part of our role and we
have reinforced those messages in light of recent events. Police Officers and
crime scene investigators are now undertaking examinations to gather evidence in
relation to the criminal damage caused during the occupation of this Grade 1
listed building and to see if any other offences have been committed. Positive
action will be taken against those found to have committed any offences. We know
this matter has caused some disruption to the local community and I would like
to thank them for their patience and understanding whilst this matter was
resolved. I would also like to take this opportunity to warn other individuals
or groups thinking of occupying buildings in a similar fashion that this type of
action will not be tolerated and we will, as in this case, use all legal means
at our disposal to remove you and bring you to justice."
Timeline of the events that took place:-
► On Saturday, 18 April 2015, a group gained entry to the Grade 1 listed
building and utilised the building from that date. During this time officers
attempted to engage with the group on numerous occasions but the group
continually refused to speak with the officers. The owners of the building were
notified and they began legal action to evict the group from the premises.
► On Wednesday, 22 April 2015, the group were served a notice from the Liverpool
Civil Court summonsing them to appear on Tuesday, 28 April 2015.
► On Friday, 24 April 2015, Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service (MFRS) issued a
Prohibition Notice to the people occupying the property having conducted an
inspection. The Notice was served as the means of escape and the fire alarm
system within the premises were inadequate given people were sleeping there. The
Notice informed the group of the risks of sleeping in the building, and that
such use was prohibited and if they continued to do so it would be a breach of
the Prohibition Notice and an offence under the Fire Safety Order.
► On Tuesday, 28 April 2015, a hearing took place at Liverpool Civil Court
attended by representatives for the building owners, Liverpool City Council,
Merseyside Police and the occupying group. Following the hearing the court
issued the issue of an interim Warrant of Possession which gave the occupying
group 24 hours to leave the premises.
► On Wednesday, 29 April 2015, after the 24 hour period had expired, members of
the group remained inside the premises refusing to leave despite previously
stating they would adhere by the terms of the court order.
► On Thursday, 30 April 2015, Merseyside Police introduced a dispersal zone
under Section 35 of the Anti Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act in the
area in response to a number of concerns raised by local businesses and
residents. This allowed officers to direct individuals to leave the dispersal
zone for up to 48 hours. If a person refused to leave or, having left then
returns within the time period specified, they were liable to be arrested.
► By the time the notice expired on Saturday, 2 May 2015, 7 people had been
arrested for not agreeing to disperse.
► As of Saturday, 2 May 2015, Liverpool City Council, put an order in place
under Section 21 of the Town and Police Clauses Act 1847 for an area of the City Centre, including Castle Street. This enabled Police to be given the power to
move to prevent an obstruction being caused in the street. If people failed to
move on this was considered a breach of the order and they therefore committed
an offence. Since being introduced a number of warnings were issued under this
Act and people adhered to them.
► Tuesday, 12 May 2015, Officers entered the building
to arrest those inside for breaching the interim possession order in place.
If you have any information that could help the Police with their enquiries
please call the Local Neighbourhood Policing Team on:- 101. Members of the local
community who wish to report any issues can also call Crimestoppers on:- 0800
555 111. |
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Merseyside Police support
'Mental Health Awareness Week'
MERSEYSIDE Police are continuing to
support Mersey Care and mental health services across the region during Mental
Health Awareness Week.
The force has long been part of multi agency health agreement and works with
partners to deliver a high quality response, as well as to improve the system of
care, to support those with mental health problems.
One in four calls to Merseyside Police is linked to mental health in some way
and the force is continually working to ensure that all those experiencing
mental ill health get the right care and support at the right time, without
being criminalised, stigmatised or put in a position of fear.
Detective Superintendent Tim Keelan said:- "Mental health is everyone's
business and as a Police force we have a duty to the public to ensure our
officers are able to provide the best possible service to those suffering mental
health issues. As well as a dedicated mental health liaison officer, the force
has worked closely with our partners to provide better training for our staff,
to ensure we offer the right care and support at the right time."
Although the force have always taken individuals detained under S136 Mental
Health Act to health based places of safety rather than Police cells, in 2012,
the force began a collaborative piece of work with Mersey care to improve the
process around the use of Section 136. Reports indicate that responding to those
with mental health needs can account for up to 20% of Police time, when in many
cases these individuals require help from health and social care agencies, not
the Police.
Tim added:- "Our officers frequently come into contact with people who may
have mental health issues. It is always a carefully considered decision before
someone who is suffering mental ill health is taken into custody and our
approach has been recognised as best practice by the HMIC."
In 2014, Merseyside Police and Mersey Care NHS Trust also launched a Triage Car.
The car is a mobile service, whereby an officer and psychiatric nurse are able
to provide an on-the-spot assessment and advice.
Tim continued:- "The safety and wellbeing of people believed to have
mental health issues is paramount, and we need to continue working together to
continue to improve the way we respond to the most vulnerable in society."
Joe Rafferty, Mersey Care's chief executive, said:- "I know Merseyside
Police Commissioner, Jane Kennedy, is as pleased as I am about the excellent
working partnership between Mersey Care and the Police. She has been
particularly impressed that patients detained on Section 136 have reduced by
over 40% since the introduction of street cars. She is also impressed with the
excellent reputation of our Criminal Justice Liaison Team has in making what are
often very complex, inter-agency relationships operate smoothly. In many ways
when people with mental illness encounter the criminal justice system, there is
a potential for stigma to rapidly and destructively emerge. We are very lucky in
Mersey Care to have this team creating the sort of high level partnership
working that is a national exemplar and which keeps so many vulnerable people
safe."
Merseyside's Police Commissioner Jane Kennedy said:- "It is a sad fact
that more than 20% of all calls for assistance to Merseyside Police have mental
health as the cause and officers are very often on the frontline of care. These
calls often don't appear in the crime statistics but nonetheless the Police have
to respond. A prison cell is never the right place for anyone suffering a mental
health crisis. Next week is Mental Health Awareness Week and it is an
opportunity to remind ourselves how vulnerable such people often are. We know it
is vital that those suffering a mental health crisis get the right support and
care, at the right time and in the right place. This can only be done if all the
agencies, the Police, NHS and all their partners pool resources and work
together and I am pleased to say we are doing that very effectively here on
Merseyside. Merseyside Police has a dedicated mental health liaison officer, and
thanks to their work with Mersey Care NHS Trust, we now have a team of mental
health nurses working within the custody suites and a mental health Triage Car
which supports people at the moment of crisis. These initiatives are saving
officers' time, reducing costs and hospital waiting times but, most importantly,
they are giving people who may be at their lowest ebb, the care and support they
need."
Police in Sefton crackdown
on organised crime
MERSEYSIDE Police has continued its
crackdown on serious organised crime with a series of raids in Sefton and
Liverpool on 15 May 2015. Officers from Sefton teamed up with colleagues from
the force's Matrix Serious Organised Crime Unit to execute drugs and firearms
warrants in Bootle, Southport and Liverpool, at around 8am.
A 15 year old was arrested at a house in Glover Place on suspicion of possession
with intent to supply drugs and robbery offences. Specialist officers searched
the house and seized a quantity of cannabis and drug paraphrenalia.
A scrambler bike and numerous mobile phones were also seized from a property in
Captains Close in Bootle. The items will be forensicially examined.
And days ago, as part of the same crackdown, Police executed a warrant in Riley
Avenue and arrested a 17 year old on suspicion of drugs offences after a large
amount of cannabis was found.
Police teams also executed search warrants at a house in Winstone Road in
Dovecot, Liverpool and at 3 lock up garages in Shakespeare Street, Southport. No
1 was arrested at these addresses.
Neighbourhood officers and Police Community Support Officers will be on hand in
the areas where the warrants have been carried out to reassure the local
community and address any concerns.
Supt Claire Richards from Sefton command team said:- "Following a number
of firearms incidents in our borough, we have launched this operation to target
members we suspect of being involved in serious organised crime. Although we
don't believe the recent incidents in Bootle and Formby are linked, clearly
incidents as serious as this are concerning to the law abiding public and we are
determined to put a stop to them. We are working hard with the local authority
to address the issue of gun crime but we cannot do it alone. We have been
encouraged by the community's response to witness appeals about these incidents
and I would continue to urge people who have information about those involved in
criminality to contact the Police or Crimestoppers on:- 0800 555 111 and we will
take action."
Help us identify 2 men
following assault in Ormskirk
LANCASHIRE Police Officers have
released CCTV images of 2 men who they would like to speak to in connection with
an assault in Ormskirk. The incident happened at around 2.55am, on Sunday, 29
March 2015, outside Ormskirk Taxis on Moor Street. The 21 year old victim was
with his girlfriend and 2 friends outside the taxi rank when they were
approached by 2 men who asked if they had a cigarette lighter. The victim and
his friends told the men that none of them smoked, at which point the men are
believed to have become aggressive and 1 of them repeatedly punched the 21 year
old student in the face and head. He suffered a swollen right eye and was taken
to hospital to be checked over. The two men made off from the scene in a taxi
following the incident and are thought to have been dropped off in Liverpool
Town Centre on Leece Street. 1 of the men is described as white, of an average
height and build with short blonde hair. He was thought to be in his late 20's
to early 30's and spoke with a Liverpool accent. The other man is described as
white, around 5ft 10 tall of an average build with short dark hair, thought to
be aged in his mid-20's to late 30's. PC 4197 Tony Kerr of Skelmersdale Police
said:- "This was an unprovoked attack on a young student who was simply
waiting to get a taxi home after a night out with friends. We are keen to trace
the two men in the CCTV images and I would urge anyone with information about
their identities or about the incident to get in touch on:- 01695 566058 as soon
as possible."
Anyone with information can also contact Police on 101
quoting log number:- 143 of 29 March 2015. Alternatively Crimestoppers can be
called anonymously on:- 0800 555 111 or online at:-
Crimestoppers-UK.Org.
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