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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."
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