PCC urges victims of crime to "just
talk" to her
VICTIMS of crime in Merseyside are
being urged to share their experience of the support they received in order to
help others. Merseyside's Police Commissioner, Jane Kennedy, is asking anyone
who has been affected by crime in the last 3 years to share their views in order
to shape the support services that are provided in the future.
As part of a 6 week Merseyside wide consultation, the Commissioner is asking
people to take part in a short
online survey at which aims to find
out how existing referral processes and support services are working, and which
areas could be improved in order to help victims in the future.
Over the 2017, more than 5,500 victims have been supported by the
Commissioner's Victim Care Merseyside service, a range of help which aims to
help all those affected by crime to cope and recover. Jane is now reviewing
these services to ensure they still meet the needs of victims and is carrying
out the consultation in consider to shape how the service should be delivered
from 2018 to 2021.
Jane said:- "I am now at the early stage of planning the services that I
will commission as part of the Victim Care Merseyside service for 2018 to 2021 and
I want to make sure I am providing the right support at the right time for the
people who need it the most.
I don't want to second guess the needs of victims. I want to deliver the
services that best help them and that's why I am urging anyone who has been
affected by crime in Merseyside during the last 3 years to share their views
and experiences with me. It is only by listening to the voices of those who have
been a victim and gone through this experience that I can get it right. By
taking part in this consultation and by sharing their experiences, they will be
playing a vital role in ensuring even better care and support for victims in the
future.
Victims of crime rely on support services to help them to recover from what can
often be a traumatic event, no matter what the offence. They deserve to feel
involved in the criminal justice process, to be kept up to date on their cases
and given dignity at all stages of the process. I want victims on Merseyside to
receive the very best possible support and, by giving us their views and
feedback, those who have been unfortunate enough to suffer at the hands of
criminals can be involved in a critical stage of this process."
As well as the online survey, victims will also have the opportunity to share
their experiences face to face in a focus group or a 1 to 1 interview.
Victim Care Merseyside is a package of support and care which involves an
intensive referral mechanism embedded within Merseyside Police, 6 specialist
support services and a
website, which acts as 1 stop shop of information and
advice for victims.
It is designed to prevent people becoming repeat victims, protect victims from
further harm and help them to better cope and recover following the crime. It
also ensures services are joined up and consistent around the region, preventing
anyone from being subjected to a postcode lottery of care. The
online survey will run until Saturday, 16
September 2017. Alternatively, if you would prefer to share your views by taking part in an
interview or attending a focus group, please contact the Sarah Barnett,
Independent Research Consultant, on:- 07855 180015 or by
email.
|
 |
Blackburn fuel fraudster
payback time
A Blackburn petrol station owner, who
was jailed for selling hundreds of thousands of litres of illegal diesel to
unsuspecting motorists, has been ordered to repay ₤133,660 in stolen taxes.
Nawaz Jan Virmani, 54, was caught by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) officers with
2,843 litres of illegal laundered diesel stored at his Shadsworth Road Service
Station in June 2013.
On Wednesday, 9 August 2017, he was ordered to pay back the money within 3 months, or
face a further 15 months in jail.
Debbie Porter, Assistant Director, Fraud Investigation Service, HMRC, said:-
"Virmani was jailed for a serious tax fraud and now he has been stripped of
everything he has. He is paying the price for trading illegally. We are
committed to creating a level playing field for all businesses and stop
criminals from undermining the UK economy.
HMRC is determined to recover money stolen from UK taxpayers. Public funds are
crucially important so if you suspect someone of Tax Fraud report it on:- 0800
788 887 and help us."
The Court ruled Virmani benefited by ₤247,590.57 from the fraud and ordered the
confiscation of his current assets worth ₤133,660.41. These include property he
part owns, the petrol station, a stake in another business and shares in Rolls
Royce.
A HMRC investigation into his business records revealed fake invoices for
212,450 litres of fuel and no legitimate paperwork for a further 126,791 litres.
In February 2016, Virmani was jailed for 16 months for the fuel fraud.
Merseyside Police issue an
appeal for information after an armed robbery in Southport took place
MERSEYSIDE Police detectives have
launched an investigation and are appealing for any information about an armed
robbery that took place at a convenience store, in Southport, on 10 August 2017.
We are told that Officers responded to a call that a robbery was in progress, at
around 9.50pm, in Food N Go. It is believed that 3 males entered the shop, on
High Park Street, on the Junction of Roe Lane and stolen cigarettes from over
the counter. Members of staff were pushed into the rear storeroom, but not
injured. A crowbar was left at the scene and has since been recovered for
forensic enquiries.
Witness and CCTV enquiries are ongoing and Police Detectives would like to speak
to anyone who saw any males acting suspiciously around High Park Street, before
or after 9.50pm, to get in touch. The men are believed to have driven off in a
red hatchback car down Old Park Lane.
The men are described as white, possibly teenagers or early 20's, slim build,
wearing stockings dark clothing and hoodies. 1 of the men was wearing a blue
coat. 1 of the men is also described as having a Lancashire accent.
Detective Inspector Paul Nilsen said:- "These types of incidents are
thankfully rare in the area and I would appeal to anyone with information to
contact us immediately, to identify remove these people from the streets.
Thankfully the members of staff were not injured but they are understandably
extremely shaken and to be threatened and grabbed in such a way is despicable
and desperate behaviour. The victims are being supported by officers and I would
urge anyone with any information, however small, to call us as it may be vital
for our investigation. I want to assure all residents and businesses that we
will do everything possible to identify the offenders and bring them to justice,
and ensure that Southport continues to be a safe place to live, work and visit."
Anyone with information is asked to call:- 101. You can also call the
independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously and for free on:- 0800 555 111 or
go
online.
|
