Ask your questions about policing in Merseyside

MERSEYSIDE'S Police Commissioner is inviting people to submit their questions for the Chief Constable and her senior team as she prepares for her next public Scrutiny Meeting.

Emily Spurrell is responsible for holding the Chief Constable, Serena Kennedy, to account for delivering on her policing and community safety priorities and maintaining an efficient and effective Police service in Merseyside.

1 of the key ways the Police Commissioner undertakes this crucial role is through quarterly public Scrutiny Meetings, which include questions submitted by the public which she then puts to the Chief Constable and her Chief Officer team.

While the focus for the next Scrutiny Meeting will be Merseyside Police's workforce / uplift and race action plan, the Commissioner is inviting questions on any policing or community safety issue with the aim of further increasing the openness and transparency around policing in our Region.

The meeting will be live streamed at:- 1pm, on Monday, 18 September 2023, to enable everyone to watch and hear the responses to their questions. A full recording of the meeting will also be published on the Commissioner's website following the session.

Merseyside's Police Commissioner Emily Spurrell said:- "1 of my top priorities as Commissioner is to listen to what our residents have to say and to be their voice on policing and community safety issues. Your questions and opinions matter to me and can help to make Merseyside a safer place for everyone. It's vitally important the public trust the Police and can see that money and resources are being used wisely to deliver the best possible service to keep our communities safe. I hope by providing this opportunity it will help to reassure people that both myself and the Chief Constable are committed to being as open and transparent about the Police's work as possible. Don't miss your chance to put your question to the Chief Constable and her team!"

The meeting will provide Chief Officers with the opportunity to give the Commissioner a detailed account of the Force's progress and how they are working to make our communities safer.

Residents can submit their questions online until:- Friday, 11 August 2023, by clicking onto:- SmartSurvey.Co.UK.

You can also submit your questions by post, in writing. Please send them to:-

Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner
Mather Avenue Training Centre
Mather Avenue
Liverpool
L18 9TG

A selection of questions which are received by this deadline will be asked by the Police Commissioner and addressed by Chief Officers. Questions should not focus on individual cases as these cannot be addressed in a public domain.

Watch the meeting live at:- 1pm, on Monday, 18 September 2023, on:- ModernGov.MerseyTravel.Gov.UK.

Stay safe when working from home!

IN recent times working life has become much more flexible and hybrid working is offered as standard in many businesses across the country, so it's vital that business owners fully equip their employees with the knowledge of how to upkeep good electrical practices when at home and on the move.

As an increasing number of homeworking homeowners seek to invest in renovating their home office space, NICEIC has stressed the importance of the safety of any electrical equipment being used in the work-from-home environment.

The standard office environment poses little obvious threat of danger if maintained correctly, but poor electrical management can result in damage to the property or physical injury.

Paul Collins, NICEIC's Technical Director has compiled a list of top things to consider when working from home:-

• Make sure you don't overload sockets; it can be tempting to have all your chargers working within reaching distance, but this can create a fire hazard.
   

• If more sockets are required, or if you are adapting any of the electrics in your home always use a certified electrical business, such as those certified by NICEIC. They can ensure that the job is carried out safely and in accordance with the relevant regulations and standards
   

• Ensure you unplug any chargers or leads that are not in use and double-check before you log off for the evening that you've turned everything off.
   

• Despite us moving towards a more digital world, you may still rely on a lot of paper for your day to day operations. If this is the case, make sure they're kept well away from any electricals or any potential sources of heat.
   

• Regularly check any cables for signs of damage or scorching.
   

• Only ever purchase electrical goods from reputable retailers.

For many, home working setups can be somewhat haphazard, especially when it comes to electrical safety. Recent research conducted by Electrical Safety 1st found that two-thirds of those working from home are using extension leads, and 38% of them admitted that homeworking means that they have more plugged into them than they normally would. Not only should you avoid overloading extension leads, but you must also not daisy chain them. This is the process whereby several extension leads are connected to reach further or cater for more appliances / electrical equipment. This is highly dangerous and should be avoided at all costs.

Advising those to stay safe when working from home, Paul Collins, said:- "It is crucial that safe electrical practice is maintained in people's home working space. Many people are unaware of the importance of the surface on which charging appliances are kept. Electrical items such as phones and tablets should only be charged on non-flammable, hard surfaces, so leaving charging computers on top of a bed for example is a potential recipe for disaster. Electrical Safety 1st found that 28% of UK adults have bought and used a cheap, unbranded charger and this rises to 45% of 18-24 year olds[2]. Workers, whether at home or in the office need to make sure they are using legitimate chargers to ensure they are certified as safe. Counterfeit chargers not only can damage your device but can also result in electrical fire or overheating."

If the home office set up requires any type of electrical work or new installation, it's important to assess your workspace and determine if you need any further sockets. If you do, it is advisable to speak to your nearest NICEIC certified business. Not only can they make the alterations safely and in line with the required standards and regulations, thanks to their certification they can also sign the work off and notify building control (where applicable) on your behalf, saving you time and money.

To find your nearest NICEIC certified business, visit:- NICEIC.com.