News reports located on this page = 4.

Suspected arson attract in Southport

MERSEYSIDE Police have arrested a male on suspicion of arson following an incident, on Bold Street, Southport, around 12.50am, on Wednesday, 26 February 2020. In a statement issued by the Police, they said that:- "Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service (MFRS) informed us of premises, located on Bold Street, which was alight. Nobody was injured and the fire was extinguished. Following inquiries, a 21 year old man, of no fixed abode, was arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life. Was then taken to a Police Station for questioning by detectives. We will be continuing our inquiries alongside MFRS."

The Police as asking if anyone saw or heard anything suspicious or has heard any information, to please contact Merseyside Police on:- 101 or by calling the charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on:- 0800 555 111.

Please help find stolen equipment

MERSEYSIDE Police are asking for help following a theft, in Southport, between 8pm and midnight, on Wednesday, 5 February 2019. We are told that over that time fame, entry was gained to a Vauxhall Vivaro van that was parked outside Coopers Bar, located on Leicester Street and DeWalt, in Southport. After gaining entry commercial power tools were stolen and the Police would like to reunite them with their owner. Sadly, CCTV enquiries have been carried out, but we are told, they have proved negative. Inspector Beth Blake said:- "This theft and all similar incidents cause massive inconvenience to those affected, people who are merely carrying out their daily business within our communities. If you witnessed it happening or have seen or been offered these tools since, please contact us by calling:- 101 or alternatively you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on:- 0800 555 111, using reference:- '20000079063' and we will take action."

Warning yet more fake HMRC calls taking place

OVER the last few years fraudsters are becoming more sophisticated with HM Revenue and Customs scams, and most scams start like this bogus call, we recorded, with a form of threat. Most of them tell the victim that they will be arrested for Tax fraud, unless they make a payment or provide payment details. Most often add to the drama by claiming that this call is the very:- 'last warning.' Sadly we did not catch the start of the call, but in this example, the call came in at 8:56am, on Saturday, 29 February 2020, from a call number:- 02042004629. It starts off with what sounds like a female voice, saying:- "HM Revenue & Customs, we are calling you with a chance to avoided prosecution."  Sadly, at the point we started recording, the voice had turned very robotic. The message continues saying:- "As we as we prepare a tax fraud case registered under your name, you have to press 1 to get connected to the Officer of HMRC. In case you don't press 1..." We pressed 1 at this point to see who picked up and what they would say. We strongly advise you do not do this and just hand up if you get any calls like this. We also suggest you report them to the HMRC. To find out how to report fake calls like this please go to the HMRC page on the Gov.UK website via clicking on here.  In this case of this call, you can hear the call is picked up, after we are put on 'hold' by a chap, who is clearly foreign and is taking the call in what sounds like a train station. Please remember that HMRC says it will never call you up out of the blue and tell you that you owe money, and will only ever call asking for payment on a debt in this way. If you've been a victim of the scam and suffered financial loss, report it to Action Fraud.  To here this call, please click play below:-

Would you report a crime taking place?

WE have had a few reports about a string of thefts from shops within the Town Center.  Most have taken place in mornings or over night, with properties being broken into.  The shops range from the Beales department store, on Lord Street and  Medusa Gems Gift Shop, to plus a local charity shop on a side road.  The Manager at Medusa Gems Gift Shop said:- "We are only a local shop and this really shakes our confidence. We are stumped, that even with a smashed window and alarm sounding, people did  nothing and did not see anything. This is despite it happening in the morning, with people going to workforce on Lord Street!"  As a paper we have many small business owners, like Medusa Gems, who are increasingly frustrated by the lack of support local residents give, if a crime has happened. If you do spot a possible crime taking place, please report it to the Police via calling:- 101.