Merseyside Police Neighbourhood Inspector - Justin Diggins Police are running an environmental CAT (Community Action Team) walk in Seacombe on 8th March (1.00pm – 3.00pm) Meet at Mobile Police Station. It is a walk around to essentially have a look at the area and suggest any improvements working in partnership with our partner organisations.

Police have closed down the Leasowe Castle Pub (not to be confused with the Leasowe Castle Hotel) as it was associated with organised crime and had not paid its gas bill since 2002. 

Explained they were also looking at other pubs in the area.  In March there will be one month of action re: cannabis.  Explained this was often happening in rented accommodation whereby criminal gangs put tenants in properties to grow cannabis. 

Made everyone aware of the incident at St James’ Parish re: armed robbery.  Reassured forum members that it was not guns it was a hammer and knife, no one was hurt and the criminals were from Liverpool. 

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.

Older Peoples Parliament - Stan Thompson Announced it was a pleasure to be back and read over his extensive report contained in the papers. Older People’s Parliament newsletters was available at the meeting for people to take away.