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Female pedestrian involved in a collision with a bus in Southport

MERSEYSIDE Police are continuing to appeal for witnesses following a serious RTC that happened on 27 February 2019, shortly before 5pm. We are told that a female pedestrian, in her 40's, was involved in a collision with a bus, on Lord Street, Southport. The pedestrian was taken to Hospital with head injuries and currently remains in a critical condition. Currently Merseyside Police Officers are asking members of the public who might have been passers-by, whether on foot, or in a car, especially if you have any dashcam footage, to get in touch, as a matter of urgency as we continue to establish the full circumstances of the incident. Officers are also gathering CCTV from the area. Anyone that witnessed the collision or was in the area and has relevant information is asked to contact the Matrix Roads Policing on:- 0151 777 5747, quoting ref:- '19100078969.'

New figures reveal 62 homeless people have died in Liverpool over the last 5 years

ONS stats show homeless people in England and Wales far more likely to die in deprived areas. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) released figures detailing the number of people who have died while homeless in each Local Authority across England and Wales between 2013 and 2017.

Stats show that:-

► In Liverpool an estimated 17 homeless people died in 2017 and 62 since 2013.

► This was out of 119 in the North West in 2017 and a total of 398 since 2013.

The figures show that homeless people are 9.2 times more likely to die when living in the most deprived areas of the country. The figures also reveal that the highest estimated numbers of deaths during the 5 year period were in major urban areas, including:- Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool, Bristol and London.

In response, Director of Crisis Merseyside, Steve Harding, said:- "It's nothing less than shameful that so many people across Liverpool and the North West have died while homeless, especially when we know that homelessness is entirely preventable. This simply cannot go on. Governments must ensure Local Authorities, particularly in the most deprived areas, have the appropriate funding to conduct reviews into the death of every person who has died while homeless, to prevent more people from dying needlessly. They must also make sure that when people do become homeless, they are re-housed quickly, and with the support they need to keep their homes, whether it's help to find employment, mental health support or drug and alcohol services. Ultimately, we must stop these tragedies from happening year after year. Homelessness can and must be ended, but only if the root causes are tackled."

New heights in safety

COUNCIL Officers have teamed up with the City's firefighters to make sure that residents living in high rise buildings are safe, secure and reassured. The safety conscious team are targeting residents who live in flats across the City as part of a High Rise Reassurance campaign. Created as part of Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service (MFRS) response to the Grenfell Tower fire, the campaign sees members of the Council's landlord licensing team and MFRS staff visiting high-rise buildings to undertake a comprehensive review of the fire safety measures present in the building.  Fire crews conduct a site specific risk information gathering process, which identifies the main hazards present in the building. This information is then uploaded to a central system so that every attending fire engine can access this information. They perform a functional test on the rising main. This test ensures that water can be delivered to all floors of the building in case of fire.  They knock on every door in the building to offer a free Home Fire Safety Check (HFSC).The HFSC offers advice and reassurance to residents on fire safety in the home and installation of smoke alarms, if needed. The crews work in tandem with MFRS to complete a high rise safety checklist and examine the fire protection measures in the building that exist to protect both residents and firefighters in case of fire.  Compliance Officers from Liverpool City Council's Landlord Licensing department visit and speak with individual residents of licensed properties to ensure that their homes are compliant with the conditions of the licence and they are aware of their rights as tenants.

Merseyside Fire and Rescue Station Manager Chris Parrington said the aim of the campaign is to ensure safer buildings, safer community and safety of firefighters. "Our Officers go through a strict set of checks to ensure these buildings are as safe as possible," said Chris. "It is important because it reassures the residents that all the checks have been done and it also allows us to become familiar with the building and its safety features should we ever need to attend in an emergency."

In total the team is testing more than 150 buildings both in Liverpool and other areas within the City Region. The team anticipates that's the full programme of inspections will be completed within the next few months.

Liverpool City Council's Cabinet Member for Housing, Cllr Lynnie Hinnigan, said:- "People living in high rise flats in Liverpool should feel safe. They should also have the reassurance that if a fire does break out, the facilities are in place to make sure they can get out safely. This campaign is helping us to get across some key messages about fire safety, whilst ensuring that building owners, landlords are tenants are aware of their responsibilities. It's a perfect example of the City Council working in collaboration with other agencies in the City in the best interests of the entire community."

► For more information about Liverpool City Council's Landlord Licensing Scheme's website.

► For fire safety advice or to arrange a Home Fire Safety Check, please call Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service on:- 0800 731 5958.