Merseyside Police Neighbourhood Inspector Steve Hall explained that the challenges are around economic climate.  Theft from cars and burglary dwelling has increased.  Asked forum to take extra care and if they could assist by being the eyes and ears for the Police.  Criminals are more likely to steal from a car than burgle a house as they are likely to go to prison if caught.  Burglaries are on the decrease and so is violence and Anti social behaviour.  Plan is to get police officers on the street.  Informed everyone that Bromborough Police Station was not closed it is just not a station where can pop in anymore.  Can ring 101 for non emergency calls.  The only 24hr Police Station now is Birkenhead.  Have your say meetings are published in the all police news letters and on the website. 

Community Safety Steve Preston Warned residents/forum not to leave their engines on the morning to de-ice cars.  Make sure PVC doors are closed properly with a key and not to just pull handles up.  Also informed forum that the Community Safety control room is now open 24 hours a day and also their dog fouling team have now started issuing £50 fines and if these are unpaid then the recipient will have to attend court.  Bebington and Clatterbridge is a safe area and crime is dropping.  Can contact Community Safety on 666 5625/5001 whereby will be able to respond to lower level of crime. 

Merseyside Fire and Rescue – Natalie Hughes The Wirral District is led by Paul Murphy who has overall responsibility for the 6 Community Fire Stations along with the Wirral Community Safety Team which is located at Wallasey Fire Station. The Community Safety Team is a cross functional team which consists of both operational and advocacy staff, and is structured to focus on the Prevention and Protection of Wirral’s communities through engagement with the most vulnerable individuals in our communities.

Wirral Community Safety Team are currently developing and publishing a Wirral Community Safety Plan which will be accompanied by 6 Wirral Community Fire Stations Plans that are linked to the Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service Integrated Risk Management Plan. 

We have held a series of planning meetings at local fire stations, involving partners and staff in the design and delivery of community safety activities to improve responsiveness to local needs. The Plans recognise the diverse nature of the communities of Wirral and will enable our Community Safety activity to be tailored specifically to the needs of the local community and complement the delivery of agreed local priorities.

The initiatives within each of the plans will be bespoke to that area however there will be cross cutting themes for the Wirral which will include:

• The reduction of Accidental Dwelling Fires, Deaths & Injuries
• Road Traffic Collisions Education and Reduction
• Reduction in incidents of arson and anti-social behaviour
• Seasonal Activities – Fire Watch & Bonfire Strategy

Some of the more innovative initiatives which will be included will be:

• Homeless project
• Excess winter death initiative
• Fire Fit Active Challenge

Feedback on Bonfire period for 2011 – extremely successful on Wirral with an obvious decrease in ASB fires across the District. Local events supported this with Beechwood & Ballantyne and Ridgeway High School holding bonfire night events.