Revellers urged to drink
less and enjoy more
A campain aimed at reducing
drunkenness in Liverpool City Centre is getting underway. Using the slogan:-
'Drink
Less Enjoy More', it is aimed at 18 to 30 year olds and warns that they risk
having their night out cut short as bar staff may refuse to serve them.
The campaign encourages young people to cut back on how much they drink at home
before going out, so called:- 'pre-loading', as well as how much they
consume when visiting bars, pubs and clubs.
The campaign, a joint initiative between Liverpool City Council, Merseyside
Police, CitySafe and Liverpool NHS Clinical Commissioning Group, aims to raise
awareness of the 2003 Licensing Act, which states it is illegal to:-
► Buy alcohol for someone who is clearly drunk.
► For bar staff to serve someone who is clearly drunk.
Both offences are punishable with a fine of up to £1,000 and premises found to
be serving people who are clearly drunk are also at risk of being stripped of
their licence, but local research shows only half of people are aware of the
law.
Mayoral lead for Community Safety, Councillor Emily Spurrell, said:-
"Drinking excessively places a huge strain on public services such as the
Police, ambulance staff and hospitals.
Almost three quarters of 18 to 30 year olds who need an ambulance to take them to
hospital are taken between midnight and 5am. Most instances are at the weekend,
with many incidents preventable if people hadn't drunk too much.
We don't want to stop people enjoying themselves and we are not telling them not
to drink. What we are saying is that by having less and not overdoing it you
will have a better and safer night.
We are also working closely with bars and clubs in Liverpool City Centre on this
issue to support their staff to help keep people safer, and not serve them if
they are excessively drunk."
The council's Alcohol and Tobacco Unit staff
are running training sessions to support bar staff to confidently refuse service
to someone who is clearly drunk. Merseyside Police will be actively enforcing
the laws in Liverpool City Centre in order to reduce drunkenness.
The campaign features a range of advertising including posters with text
conversations between friends to illustrate how their night out could be ruined
if they ignore the law, including:- "Dean, don't get too smashed mate! We
won't get served anywhere later" and "Looks like an early taxi
home for us lads. They won't serve us because Ryan's bladdered."
Superintendent Mark Wiggins from Merseyside Police said:- "We know that
around 50 per cent of all violent crimes committed are alcohol related and that
if you drink at home, then go out, you are more likely to be involved in
violence, either as a victim or as an offender.
Liverpool's night time economy is rightly famous and the City has a
well deserved reputation as a safe and vibrant place to enjoy a night out. Every
weekend at least 100,000 people visit to enjoy the night life and we want to
ensure those people leave with memories of a fantastic night out and are keen to
come back time and time again.
This scheme isn't aimed at those who drink responsibly; it's there to help
identify the small minority of people who have had too much alcohol and could
end up being a danger either to themselves or others. People need to ask
themselves whether they want to have their night ended early because they are
refused entry to a bar due to them having consumed too much alcohol too early.
Drink sensibly and enjoy your night out with friends.
We are working with our partners to educate staff at licences premises so that
they are not breaking the law by serving people who have clearly already had
enough to drink.
Merseyside Police is committed to reducing violent crime and making the streets
safe and if successful, this initiative should help to make Liverpool an even
safer place for locals and visitors alike to enjoy a night out."
'Drink Less Enjoy More' will use a range of communication channels to
provide people with friendly reminders about the law. This includes radio and
social media advertising, posters outside licensed premises such as supermarkets
and pubs and materials in bars.
|
|
Search for relatives of
local servicemen
LIVERPOOL'S Lord Mayor is looking
for relatives of local servicemen to come forward and attend a ceremony
adding them to the Hall of Remembrance at Liverpool Town Hall.
On Monday, 19 October 2015, 43 additional names will be added to the
1st
World War Roll of Honour in the Hall of Remembrance at Liverpool Town Hall,
including Assistant Steward Boardman who, at age 15 is thought to be 1 of
the 1st Sea Scouts to have died at war.
Lord Mayor Councillor Tony Concepcion said:- "I am honoured to be
adding these names to our growing Roll of Honour.
It would be fantastic if there were relatives there of these servicemen who
could witness the recognition from the City of Liverpool for their bravery
and courage.
I would like to highlight the work of relatives and local historians who
have traced their family history and have highlighted the omissions from the
Roll of Honour.
I hope that by sending out this list we can find some family members to take
part in this service which marks our gratitude for the sacrifices made by so
many young men."
Of the names listed below the 1st 5 have been highlighted by Ray
Ireland, Chair of 24th Picton Scouts. Their names were on a memorial and all
had connections with the Scouts. They will be added to the Roll at two
services which will take place on Monday, 19 October 2015.
Anyone who thinks they
may be related to those being added to the Roll of Honour should contact Ray
Ireland on:- 0151 724 4745 or send an
email.
Ray said:- "Many of these, such as Mr Boardman, went to war as young
men and never had a chance to experience life outside of conflict.
It is important that these names continue to be found and recorded on the
Hall of Remembrance to honour their memory and the contribution that they
made."
Southport grandparents and grandchildren share memories
TO celebrate National Grandparents' Day on Sunday, 4
October 2015, McCarthy and Stone is inviting people in Southport to submit their
suggestions for the:- 'Ultimate Guide to Grandparenting'.
The UK's leading retirement developer, which has an Assisted Living
development on Cambridge Road, Brunlees Court, is calling on locals to share
their personal experiences and views on what makes the greatest grandparent.
It could be something your own grandparents taught you; an attitude to
life, a secret family recipe, or how to get away with cheating at monopoly!
Maybe you've learnt from your gran or grandpa who was a little mischievous
and let you spend your days devouring doughnuts, laughing at rude jokes, and
staying up late; all away from the watchful eyes of your parents! Perhaps
they used to slip you some extra pocket money, let you have chocolate cake
for breakfast, or tell you secrets you weren't allowed to tell your mum or
dad. No matter what the memory or tip, the developer wants to hear from you!
McCarthy and Stone also wants grandchildren to submit their tips on what
they think on-trend grandmas and grandpas need to know in the 21st Century;
how to play Candy Crush, how to take a selfie, or the words to One
Direction's latest chart topping hit.
Once all the suggestions are in, McCarthy and Stone will compile the 'Ultimate
Guide to Grandparenting', including a checklist of memory making
activities for every grandparent to do with their grandkids, such as
building a den or flying a kite, which they can tick off as they go.
And as we enter the new age of technology, the guide will also include the:-
'20
Things Grandchildren think their Grandparents Ought to Know in the 21st
Century'. Whether it's how to upload photos to Facebook, or finding
funny videos on YouTube. Everyone who shares a memory or suggestion will be
entered into a prize draw to win £250 worth of John Lewis vouchers, with 3
runners-up each receiving £50 in Waitrose food vouchers.
Monica Collings, from McCarthy and Stone, comments:- "National
Grandparents' Day is a great way to share memories and show how fondly we
all think of our grandparents. Having the time and freedom to spend with
your grandchildren pays dividends for retirees, and is treasured time that
children will remember forever.
Not only do grandparents take an active interest in their grandchildrens'
lives and interests, but they pass on valuable knowledge and advice, giving
children a take on life that they might not otherwise get; something which
is really important for us to cherish and celebrate.
We are launching this handy guide to inspire locals in Southport to share
their fond memories and stories of their grandparents. We also want to
encourage everyone to pay their granny or grandad a visit on National
Grandparents' Day and enjoy some precious, quality time together."
To take part, please share your stories and suggestions on top memory-making
activities that all grandparents should do with their grandchildren by
email. You can
also post your ideas to:- McCann PR, McCarthy and Stone Ultimate Guide,
Communications House, Highlands Rd, Shirley B90 4WE.
The 'Ultimate Guide to Grandparenting' will be launched at the end of
October 2015. For more information please visit
here. Prescot business trainer
sentenced for VAT fraud A
self-employed training consultant from Knowsley, who pocketed the VAT he
deducted from his clients rather than pay it to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC)
has been sentenced.
Henry Keesz, 42, the director of Emergo Consultancy Services Limited based
in Prescot, kept over £24,500 VAT he had charged his clients between 2012
and 2014.
Sandra Smith, Assistant Director, Fraud Investigation Service, HMRC, said:-
"Keesz was a business consultant and trainer and was well aware that
he was breaking the law. He chose to pocket the VAT he had collected from
his clients, at the expense of UK taxpayers. Because of his dishonesty he
has not only damaged his business reputation but he has a criminal record.
Keesz has already repaid the stolen money to the public purse ending the
need for further enforcement action by HMRC. If you know of anyone who is
committing tax fraud you can report them by calling our 24 hour Hotline on:-
0800 59 5000."
On Wednesday, 30 September 2015, Keesz was sentenced to 6 months jail suspended
for 12 months after pleading guilty to VAT fraud at the same court hearing.
|