Liverpool Schools receive new sexual violence education programme

NEW sexual violence prevention training is being rolled out to schools across Liverpool exploring misogyny, sexual harassment, peer on peer abuse, and the sharing of online images. Split into 2 parts, Schools will be offered training sessions for Primary Teachers to deliver through their PSHE sessions, and pupils will be offered a new KS2 resource called:- 'Send me a selfie' which looks at the issues arising from the sharing of online images.

The training facilitates an exploration of sexual violence issues, considering how we best enable genuine dialogue and grapple with concepts of gender, power and relationships in a way that is meaningful for both boys and girls in the classroom. It considers age appropriate activities for Primary School pupils to help them to keep themselves and others safe.

The approach is funded by the Safer Streets Liverpool initiative, with the hope that it will shape and influence the behaviours of our youngest generation, encouraging healthy relationships and empowering open discussions.

Merseyside's Police Commissioner Emily Spurrell said:- "Our Safer Streets campaign is providing a long term, multiagency approach to tackling violence against women and girls; working with Schools is a crucial part of this plan. We know the misogyny that underlies a lot of the predatory behaviour that women and girls experience on a day to day basis is still rife in our society. It's absolutely vital that we open up a conversation about this as early as possible. We need to talk to young people and help them to understand what a healthy relationship looks like, the significant risks posed by the online world and, more broadly, how they can spot the signs of misogyny and challenge it when they see it. Educating the next generation on these issues will help us embed our vision for a Safer Merseyside."

Detective Superintendent Siobhan Gainer, Head of the Merseyside Violence Reduction Partnership, said:- "Serious violence can often be rooted in learned perceptions from family and peers so it is vital that we educate young people and arm them with the tools to change negative attitudes and behaviours and understand the impact these can have on themselves and others. 1 of the areas of focus is on healthy relationships and misogyny, reaching young minds early on so we can prevent negative attitudes potentially growing into angry and hateful actions. I firmly believe young people can unlearn harmful ideas and make positive choices."

For more information on Safer Streets Liverpool, visit:- SaferStreetsLiverpool.Com.

Appeal to find the Next of kin Ian Glennie

MERSEYSIDE Police are appealing for information to trace the next of kin of Ian Glennie, who was aged 67, from Southport. We are told that he sadly passed away at Southport Hospital, on Thursday, 17 March 2022. There are no suspicious circumstances surrounding his death. It is believed that Ian may have family residing in the Formby area and in the Newborough area of Scotland. Anyone who can help the Coroner identify or trace any potential next of kin should call:- 01519342412 or email:- HMCoroner@Liverpool.Gov.UK.

Landlord prosecuted for failing to repair open sewer

A Liverpool landlord has been fined for failing to repair an open sewer in the garden of a rental property. SRA Property Limited has been prosecuted by Liverpool City Council under Section 99 of the Building Act 1984, after refusing to fix an exposed drainage system on Russian Drive in L13, District Judge Boswell described it as:- 'essentially an open sewer.'  Liverpool City Council officers were called to the property in June 2021 following a referral which indicated that a large trench had been dug on the left hand side of the property which had exposed the drainage system that served the 6 flats within. After a lack of cooperation with the company regarding the undertaking of works, a notice under Section 59 of the Building Act 1984 was served in November 2021 requiring SRA Property Limited to repair the drainage system, which the company failed to do. As a result of the failure of the company to undertake any repairs, the Council carried out the work and brought a prosecution against the company.

No representative of SRA Property Limited attended Court on 24 March 2022, with District Judge Boswell finding the company guilty in their absence and imposing a fine of ₤2,500; the maximum amount for this type of offence, plus costs of ₤989.79 and a victim surcharge of ₤190. A new Landlord Licensing scheme in Liverpool, covering 16 wards where at least 1 in 5 properties is rented out, starts on 1 April 2022; find out who needs a licence and how to apply at:- Liverpool.Gov.UK/LandlordLicensing.

Councillor Sarah Doyle, Cabinet Member for Strategic Housing and Regeneration, said:- "This was a totally unacceptable case of a landlord putting the health of tenants at risk by letting them live in appalling conditions. We could not allow the situation to continue, so we have carried out the work and will be pursuing the landlord for the cost, and have also brought a successful prosecution. This is yet another reminder of why our new Landlord Licensing scheme launching in April is so needed, giving us the tools to identify and tackle private rented properties as well as HMOs. We are united in our mission to raise standards and improve the City's neighbourhoods for residents."

Local Councillor Steve Radford, who raised the issue, said:- "It has been an atrocious experience for Russian Drive neighbours and the Council as a last resort has used the default procedures to protect public health. We would like to thank all the Council officers who assisted."