Fire and Rescue Service

Alan Fletcher, the Station Manager for Heswall and Bromborough introduced himself and informed of the service actions he was putting in place to target vulnerable groups.  He also informed that there would be an Open Day on Thursday, 24 April 2014 at Heswall Fire Station which would highlight home safety.

The Station Manager provided a progress report on the Princes Trust Programme.  The Fire and Rescue Service was a delivery partner of the twelve weeks ‘Team’ Personal Development Programme for 16 -25 year olds.  The current cohort of twelve was half way through the course and another course was due to commence in May 2014.

The Station Manager told the meeting that a Cadet course was planned.  Wirral Fire Cadets was a long term comprehensive education and development scheme aimed at young people aged 14-18, allowing participants to take part in Fire and Rescue led activities at a local fire station one evening per week.

The Station Manager told the meeting that operational crews were now on a new shift pattern and were hoping to interact more with community groups. 

The Station Manager reported that Safe Havens had been introduced at all community fire stations on Wirral, including Heswall. The initiative, approved by Wirral Community Safety Partnership, meant that community fire stations across Wirral were designated as Safe Havens.

Community fire stations, identified by an illuminated Safe Haven sign that could be seen at night, were accessible to members of the public who felt threatened, intimidated or at risk.  They also provided those individuals with the opportunity to report Hate Crime or Domestic Violence should they feel that this action was appropriate.

The Committee was also provided with an update on youth development and informed that land next to the Fire Station in Exmouth Street, Birkenhead was to be used for a Youth Hub.  This would be a project very similar to the one in Toxteth providing excellent facilities for young people.

A Member had visited a Youth Hub in Wigan and reported on the superb facilities it had for youngsters.  It was hoped that Merseytravel would introduce cheap rail tickets to and from the hub which would be open from early in the morning until late at night.

The Committee noted that all the works on the Youth Hub could not yet be completed as there was a funding shortfall.  The Fire and Rescue Authority had provided the land but the cost of the building was reliant on a charity that had provided Youth Hubs elsewhere in the country.  However, real efforts were being made to generate funding to build the Youth Hub.

Police

Inspector Ross Meredith informed that he would be available after the meeting to speak to anyone who had any policing issues they wished to raise with him.  He reported that the Wirral South constituency footprint was the safest place to live and work in Wirral.  There had been 248 fewer crimes than at this time last year.

Wirral was suffering a major spate of burglaries of all types.  It was suspected that criminals were visiting from outside the area.  Merseyside Police was working with Cheshire Police’s Burglary Team and British Transport Police on this, as some of the burglaries matched the pattern of train lines.  Burglaries tended to occur during the afternoon/early evening and the vast majority were opportunist in South Wirral.

Inspector Meredith provided the Committee with the detail of a number of recent crimes committed in the South Wirral area.  These included:

·  An incident with a knife at Bargain Booze in Hoylake.

·  Thefts from vehicles in the Heswall area and a reminder not to leave SatNavs attached to the window when a vehicle was parked up.

·  House burglaries and a reminder not to leave house keys close to doors. 

·  Thefts of vehicle number plates.  The Police had anti-theft screws (funded by Halfords) available.

·  Nuisance youth activity in New Ferry – harassing the public to buy them alcohol.

A Member reported on the ‘Couple with a Copper’ initiative underway in Cardiff where free tea/coffee was provided and the public encouraged talking to local Police Officers.

RESOLVED:

That the reports of the representatives of the Fire and Rescue Service and the Police be received.