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Awareness campaign prompts a safe summer along Sefton's coastline

INCIDENTS of anti social behaviour reduced along Sefton's coastline during Operation Beachsafe 2016. Crime also remained low along Sefton's coastal areas during the campaign, which ran from March to September 2016. Partners including:- Merseyside Police, Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service, Sefton Council, National Trust, Sefton's Coast and Countryside Rangers, Natural England, RNLI lifeguards, British Transport Police, Councillors and Parish Councillors worked together to keep visitors safe along the coast. 

Police Officers carried out regular patrols on quad bikes and just 2 incidents of car thefts were reported. Alcohol was seized and 13 vehicles were issued with warnings for anti social use. 2 vehicles were also seized.  Merseyside Police trialled a new initiative where parents visiting Formby and Ainsdale were given wristbands for their children which they could use to write their phone number on.

The wristbands, funded by Merseyside Police and Formby and Ainsdale ward Councillors, were designed to help reunite children with their parents should youngsters wander off and become lost. Inspector for West Sefton Formby, Ainsdale and Hightown, Jim Atherton, said:- "It has been great to work in partnership again to promote crime prevention and personal safety to visitors to Sefton's coastline. As the Inspector that covers Formby and Ainsdale, I am especially pleased to say that crime levels have remained very low. In fact, only 2 reported thefts from cars took place over the whole summer holiday period."

A number of wildfires and deliberate fires were attended by Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service between March and September, including a number of fires in Formby Pinewoods.  Dave Mercer, Senior Reserve Manager at Ainsdale Sand Dunes Nature Reserve, said:- "This summer we had six wildfires in the pinewoods to deal with. Natural England staff and Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service worked together to control the largest of the fires which burned at least 1 acre of forest. Several illegal bonfire parties took place on the reserve, which created a large amount of rubbish to remove, and we dealt with one incident of illegal off road biking with the help of Merseyside Police. On a positive note, our dunes and pinewoods played host to an orienteering event which saw 500 runners navigate around the area. A rare wryneck bird was also spotted in the reserve, generating a large number of birdwatchers visiting to try and catch a glimpse of it."

Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service Arson Officer, Graham Morgan, said:- "During the campaign people were urged not to light bonfires or barbecues on the beach, in the sand dunes or in woodland along the coast. People were also urged not to throw cigarette butts into grassland or woodland areas, as they can easily cause grass fires, causing a danger to people and to wildlife.  The campaign has worked well this year with a reduction in serious fire incidents reported along the coastline. We hope to continue this work next year to keep people safe from fire."

Let it snow

ONE of football's best loved stadia is kicking off the festive season with a series of Christmas parties. Throughout December 2016, visitors to Goodison Park, home to Everton Football Club, can swap sports strips for sequins as the venue offers festive fun lovers an all inclusive night of dancing, dining and drinking. The parties will take place each Friday and Saturday and guests can choose from 2 packages:– 'The Snow Ball' and the 'Glitter Ball', which features an all inclusive drinks package.

Both packages include a party DJ and live entertainment, along with a three course festive meal created by chefs from Sodexo Prestige Venues & Events, which manages conferences and events at the stadium.It will begin with roast butternut squash soup with sea salted croutons, followed by Cheshire chicken supreme with mini sausage and sage pie, Bordelaise sauce, dauphinoise potato, Vichy carrots and sugar snap peas, or a vegetarian option of Somerset brie and beetroot tart with basil cream sauce.

Partygoers will be then served a dessert of Belgian chocolate torte with white and dark chocolate mousse on a chocolate Génoise sponge with coffee and an Everton chocolate to round off the meal.  Debbie Slee, sales manager for Sodexo Prestige Venues & Events at the stadium, said:- "Our Christmas parties are a real highlight of the festive calendar, and the ideal choice for an office get together or just to let your hair down in the run up to Christmas. They do get booked up quickly, though, so I'd urge people to get in touch as soon as possible."

So will you be attending as a guest at any of these events?  If you are, please do let us know via emailing us to:- News24@SouthportReporter.com and tell us what you think of them...

Schools on alert after "Killer clowns" rumours

AN unsettling craze of clown related pranks is sweeping social media world wide, after hitting headlines in the US. Now copycats are reportedly doing "terrifying pranks" in the UK. Already Police are waning that those involved could face criminal charges and they could also be assaulted worse by those affected. Professional clowns have condemned the so called 'craze' and blame media hype for this run of so called:- "funny jokes..." some of them are saying that it could destroy the image of clowns and put many out of a job!

accross Merseyside, schools are now on alert. In Southport, we have been told by parents that Stanley High, have been very concerned and have sent out this email:- "This could be over hyped nonsense, but with Halloween approaching, this is no laughing matter. Just to let you know that we are aware of rumours over 'Killer clowns' and have informed Police. Whilst we do not envisage any issues, the Police will be present at lunch to support ourselves and the CPSO, merely as a precaution. Thank you to those parents, students and members of our local community who made us aware of this."

We will stress that this is an example as we have had reports that other schools have issued wanings as well. As of yet we have no reports about "Killer clowns" around Southport's Schools and have not been able to confirm the nature of this email with Stanley High.

Anti social behaviour can leave people feeling scared, anxious and intimidated. In this case it can also lead to victim's health related effects of the stress induced by the shock, which could result in death!  A parent told us that:- "All it takes is for the prank to go wrong and who knows what will happen. If they do it on someone with a hart condition or a victim reacts violently, it could result in a death. That is a very strong possibility, especially in this current clement, of terrorist acts taking place. If the media did not hype it up, we would not have this problem."

The is also now affecting tourism, as the Russian Embassy has warned its citizens in the UK to "beware" of pranksters dressing as clowns. On its website, the Russian Embassy wrote:- "According to British media and law enforcement agencies in recent days, in different regions of the country, in the dark, there are cases of attacks by malicious people in clown suits. The purpose of the antics of the British 'clowns' to cause fear and bewilderment. We ask citizens in the UK Russia take note of this information."

Please do not pull these so called:- 'pranks' if you are thinking of doing them. Also if you know that you child has a sinister clown outfit, we suggest that you keep it hidden until this craze passes!  We would urge those who are causing fear and alarm to carefully consider the impact their actions have on others.  Please remind your children that this can easily result in tragedy. Plus, they prank might meet the threshold of a criminal offence under the Anti Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 and others.  What are your views? Have you been affected or are you worried about the pranks. Please let us know via emailing us to:- News24@SouthportReporter.com.

Empire Manager wins top theatre award

GENERAL Manager of the Liverpool Empire Theatre, Diane Belding has been named Theatre Manager of the Year at the prestigious UK Theatre Awards.  The Award comes a week after Diane welcomed HRH the Earl of Wessex to the theatre at a gala evening in celebration of 150 years of live entertainment on the site where the Empire now stands.  Diane said:- "I am absolutely delighted to have been named Manager of the Year at the prestigious UK Theatre Awards. It is the highlight of my theatre career and is particularly special during Liverpool Empire's 150th celebration year. I am fortunate to work with some of the most dedicated and passionate theatre staff at the Empire and ATG and share this with them all."

The UK Theatre Awards honour outstanding achievement in performing, producing and management in theatres throughout the United Kingdom. The winners were announced at a ceremony at London's Guildhall on Sunday 9 October. Nominations were made and voted on by industry experts who had been invited to serve as panellists by the Chief Executive of UK Theatre. Nick Potter, Group International Venues Director for the Ambassador Theatre Group which operates the Empire Theatre, said:- "Everyone at ATG is thrilled that Diane has been recognised by the UK Theatre industry and awarded the prize for Theatre Manager of the Year. 2016 has been a record breaking year for the Liverpool Empire, with a run of smash hit productions and a special Royal Gala Performance to mark 150 years of live entertainment on the theatre site. Diane and her team have worked tirelessly to achieve fantastic results, build a loyal customer following and provide exemplary customer service. This award is richly deserved and we are all very proud of Diane."

The evening was compèred by award-winning actor Lesley Manville. There were performances from Clare Burt and appearances from guest presenters including:- Dame Eileen Atkins, Owen Teale, Laura Pitt Pulford, Stephanie Beacham, Don Warrington and Preeya Kalidas.