PCC unveils 4th Annual Report
MERSEYSIDE'S Police Commissioner has unveiled her 4th
Annual Report after presenting it to the body which scrutinises her work.
Jane Kennedy has released her 2015/16 Annual Report following a meeting of the
Police and Crime Panel, at which she talked through the report to members, who
have now formally endorsed it.
The report details the extensive work carried out by the Commissioner over the
last financial year, between 1 April 2015, and 31 March 2016, and gives both the
Panel and the public the chance to review and appraise her progress in
delivering her Police and crime priorities.
Those priorities; preventing crime and anti social behaviour, providing a
visible and accessible Neighbourhood Policing style, tackling serious and
organised crime and supporting victims, protecting vulnerable people and
maintaining public safety; were set when the Commissioner released a refreshed
Police and Crime Plan in September 2015.
The 37 page report also details the Commissioner's work to engage with the
communities of Merseyside over the last 12 months, including her campaigns and
the work she carries out in partnership with Merseyside's community safety
organisations, and the progress of her Victim Care Merseyside service following
its official launch in June 2016.
A 1 page summary document of the report has also been produced which will be
distributed across Merseyside to publicise its release and draw attention to the
headline figures from the year.
Jane said:- "Producing an Annual Report each year gives me an important
opportunity to reflect on the challenges and achievements from the previous 12
months. It's been another busy year, full of memorable moments. Undoubtedly, the
most important of all was when the government bowed to public pressure and did a
dramatic U-turn on the disastrous budget cuts they were planning to impose on
our Police Service. This was a major relief, but despite this promise the
government are still expecting the Force to cut a further £5m per year up to
2021. There have been many successes to celebrate; Her Majesty's Inspectorate of
Constabulary assessing Merseyside Police's response to serious and organised
crime as 'outstanding', the recruitment of new Police Officers for the 1st time,
in 3 years and the launch of the 'Victim Care Merseyside service.' I've also
taken inspiration from many of my day to day activities; meeting the officers,
PCSOs and staff of Merseyside Police as they go about their working lives
serving the public and protecting our communities, attending dozens of community
events and talking to people across Merseyside about the issues that matter most
to them. Our Police Service continues to change, but despite having fewer people
than ever before, Merseyside Police remains effective and efficient. Releasing
my 4th Annual Report gives me the opportunity to once again thank the entire
Force for their efforts and applaud their resilience and energy. There are
significant challenges facing them. Budget pressures will affect the way
services are resourced, structured and delivered. The types of crime and the way
in which they are committed continues to change, but I know the Police will
continue to meet these challenges head on. I was honoured to be re-elected in
May to continue in this role for a further 4 years and I promise to continue to
do everything I can to commission the best possible Police Service to all the
communities of Merseyside."
The Annual Report details the PCC's on going efforts to set a balanced budget in
the face of government cuts and how she is working with the Chief Constable to
use the available resources in the most effective and efficient way to deliver
policing on Merseyside.
It also details the time the PCC commits to meeting members of the public and
the progress of the voluntary schemes she runs including the Independent Custody
Visiting scheme (ICV) and her Youth Advisory Group.
The Commissioner has a statutory responsibility to produce an Annual Report and,
as she has done for the last 2 years, Jane took the decision to provide a draft
version to the Panel so they could provide feedback and suggestions.
The full report is available to read on the PCC's
website and feedback is welcomed.
Criminal past restaged
LOVEHISTORY, the producers of the
popular 'Catacombs of Liverpool's Dark History' series and the
City's most animated storytellers, will once again set to delve deeper into
Liverpool's gruesome history to bring its criminal past to stage for St David's
Church Friday Café Childwall. The café will play host to a morning of
crime, murder and mystery, on Friday, 2 September 2016, between 10am and 12
noon, re-enacting some of Liverpool's most notorious crimes. A team of versatile
actors in period costume, will transport you back to the gruesome setting of the
past with the infamous criminal stories. The slums of Victorian Liverpool
were a breeding ground for the criminal underworld, vice, fraud, violence and
murder, a place where the morally corrupt would prey upon their victims and
spread terror throughout the City. Liverpool crimes also involved the cunning,
those that opposed violence and instead used their sharp wit to deceive.
Elizabeth Kirkbride, known as the baby killer will return to relive the
horrifying tales and concealment of her new born babies.
The Liverpool Bank Robbery of 1878 relives the tale of a shrewder and more
calculated plan where a young bank clerk, William Ohlman almost got away with
the sum of £15,000, as he tried to escape the City with his mistress, Miss
Mclean who vanished without trace.
The case of 'The Burning Woman' exposes the alcohol fuelled rage,
when in 1884, a young prostitute Mary McNamara was burned alive during a
horrific domestic dispute.
This event is the latest in a series of 1st Friday of the month, community
events run at the church café. They were set up using some of the Mayoral
Neighbourhood Fund allocation for local Councillors Jeremy Wolfson, Frank Hont
and Liz Parsons and has run successfully for more than 3 years.
Councillor Wolfson said:- "We have had some very popular sessions, but any
aspect of local history always attracts a lot of interest. This latest event,
which marks something of a departure from our usual format, will look at some of
the darker side of Liverpool's past, but will be done in a fascinating and
entertaining way. Lovehistory have been a big hit at St George's Hall and we
would like to thank the Hall's manager Alan Smith who has helped us stage this
event."
|
|
Phil to host:- "Big Girls
Don't Cry" featuring the Eastcoast Boys
THE hit stage show 'Big
Girls
Don't
Cry' celebrates the Golden Anniversary
of million selling single 'Working My Way Back to You' by working
its way around the UK visiting the nation's top venues on a countrywide tour.
The fantastic show will take to the stage at Liverpool's Liverpool Philharmonic
Hall, on Hope Street, from 7.30pm, on Monday, 5 December 2016.
This critically acclaimed stage show features the music of 'Frankie Valli'
and the 'Four Seasons'. Show is also producer Michael
Taylor says:- "Oh what a night of hit songs is coming to Town..."
so you know it will be amazing!
During the 60's and 70's No1 hits:- 'Sherry', December 1963 ('Oh
What a Night'), 'Walk Like a Man', Rag Doll and 'Big
Girls Don't Cry' saw the 'Four Seasons' and lead singer
Frankie Valli propelled to super stardom, selling a combined 100 million records
nationwide.
Show producer Michael Taylor says that Big Girls Don't Cry authentically revives
the sublime harmonies of New Jersey's finest performers. "There's a Four
Seasons song that shares a special place in everyone's heart. Big Girls Don't
Cry showcases Frankie's incredible falsettos and features solo hits that range
from the exuberant; the rock'n'roll nostalgia of Grease, to the spine tingling;
show stealers such as My Eyes Adored You."
Falsetto, tenor, baritone and bass 4 piece harmonies perfectly recreate the
dynamic combination of:- Frankie Valli, Bob Gudio, Tommy de Vito and Nick Massi
respectively.
Drawing from a repertoire that includes:- 'Let's Hang On, Beggin',
'Who Loves You' and 'I've Got You Under My Skin,'
Michael promises music fans attending that they will never more than a song away
from another classic hit. For tickets
visit:-
LiverpoolPhil.Com
Young people in Wirral urged to get vaccinated against
meningitis and septicaemia before starting University
YOUNG people going to College or
University this autumn are being strongly urged to get vaccinated against
meningitis and septicaemia (blood poisoning) due to the MenW bug, one of the
most aggressive and deadly strains of Meningitis. Cases of MenW have been
increasing year on year, from 22 cases in 2009 to nearly 200 cases in the past
12 months.
There are a number of strains of the infection and the vaccination gives
protection against 4 of them:- MenA, MenC, MenW and MenY. These illnesses can be
deadly and survivors are often left with life changing disabilities.
Young people going on to University or College are particularly at risk of
meningitis and septicaemia because they mix with so many other students, some of
whom are unknowingly carrying the bacteria. But anyone in this age group is
strongly advised to get the vaccination; whether starting college or not.
GPs will be writing to the following groups to encourage them to get vaccinated
at their surgery as soon as possible:-
► All 17 and 18 year olds (school year 13; born
between 1/9/1997 to 31/08/1998).
► 19 year olds who missed getting vaccinated last year
(anyone born between 1/9/1996 to 31/08/1997).
► PHE is also advising anyone aged up to 25 who is
starting University to get vaccinated by their GP.
Ideally young people should get vaccinated before term starts; to ensure
immunity. But anyone can still get the jab from their new GP in their College
Town.
The MenACWY vaccination programme was introduced last year in response to a
large increase in infections caused by a highly aggressive strain of group W
meningococcal bacteria (Men W).
The disease can develop suddenly and progress rapidly. Early symptoms include:-
headache, vomiting, muscle pain, fever, and cold hands and feet. Students should
be alert to the signs and symptoms and should not wait for a rash to develop
before seeking medical attention urgently. Students are also encouraged to look
out for their mates, particularly if they go to their room unwell.
The vaccine not only protects those who are vaccinated, but also helps control
the spread of the disease amongst the wider population. This is the 2nd year the
vaccine is being offered to this age group.
Fiona Johnstone, Director of Public Health, Wirral Council said:- "Since
2009, there has been a rapid increase in cases of Men W across England, with
students particularly at risk. Protecting young people from this potentially
deadly disease as they embark upon one of the most important periods of their
lives is vitally important. The vaccination will save lives and prevent lifelong
devastating disability."
Dr Sue Wells, Acting Chair/Medical Director, NHS Wirral Clinical Commissioning
Group said:- "We are encouraging all eligible 17 and 18 year olds who have
just left school to get vaccinated; particularly those heading to college or
university. Young people and those around them should be alert to the signs and
symptoms of meningitis and septicaemia. Get vaccinated as soon as possible,
remain vigilant and seek urgent medical help if you have concerns for yourself
or friends." |