This is the birkenhead.news weekly round-up of Merseyside Police activity in Wirral during the previous seven days.
Man dies in Queensway Tunnel during charity bike ride
Merseyside Police has confirmed that a 64-year-old man sadly died in the Queensway tunnel on Sunday 4 July.
The man was taking part in the Liverpool Chester Liverpool (LCL) Bike Ride on Sunday 4 July, when he collapsed in the Birkenhead tunnel.
Police and the North West Ambulance Service were called around 1.20pm to reports that a man taking part in a charity bike ride had collapsed.
Police advice following catalytic convertor thefts
Merseyside Police has warned that a thief can take the catalytic converter from your car in a matter of minutes and leave you to foot the bill?
Vehicles which are often targeted are those with higher chassis, such as a 4×4 or an SUV, however, other vehicles can still be targeted such as commercial vehicles etc. Most recently catalytic converter thefts have occurred in the Hoylake and Egremont areas.
To reduce the risk of having your catalytic converter stolen, you should:
- Park your vehicle in a locked garage where possible, but if this isn’t an option, then park it in a well-lit and well-populated area.
- Park close to fences, walls or a kerb with the exhaust being closest to the fence, wall or kerb to make the theft more difficult.
- Avoid parking your vehicle half on the pavement and half on the road, as this may make it easier for thieves to access the catalytic converter.
- If parking in a public car park, consider parking alongside other vehicles and facing your bonnet towards the wall if possible. With the catalytic converter positioned at the front of your vehicle, this will make it harder for thieves to get close enough to steal it.
- If there is a fleet of vehicles, park the low clearance vehicles to block the high clearance vehicles. This will obstruct access underneath.
- If your catalytic converter is bolted on, you can ask for your local garage to weld the bolts to make it more difficult to remove. Alternatively, you can also etch a serial number on the converter. You can even purchase a ‘cage clamp’ which is a cage device that locks in around the converter to make it more difficult to remove.
- Speak to your dealership about the possibility of adding a tilt sensor that will activate the alarm should any thief try to jack the vehicle up to steal the converter.
If you see someone acting suspiciously under a vehicle, report it to the Police. Obtain as much information as possible, including any vehicle registrations or alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or report online at: https://crowd.in/w0TY7q 
Wirral man straight back to prison after nine-day burglary spree
A prolific burglar who went on a nine-day crime spree just weeks after his release from prison has been sent back to prison.
Dillon Foreman was released from prison on 27 November where he had been serving a sentence for attempted burglary and car theft.
Just weeks after his release the 22-year-old reoffended when he broke into a house in Wolfick Drive, Spital on Wednesday 30 December.
Stolen motorcycle recovered
Responding to complaints of antisocial misuse of motorbikes in the area of Moreton and Leasowe, Merseyside Police officers recovered a stolen motorbike from the rear yard of an address on the Witley Estate.
The motorbike had been stolen from Bromborough in September last year and a false plate used. A police spokesperson said, “Motorbikes are often used in serious crime as well as antisocial behaviour so please continue to report your concerns. Together we can make a difference.”
Wirral OCG members jailed for more than 30 years for drugs supply offences
Merseyside Police has welcomed the sentencing of five members of an organised crime group to a total of more than 30 years, following a covert investigation targeting the supply of Class A drugs in Wirral.
In an operation that began in 2019, detectives identified suspects responsible for the distribution of large amounts of Class A drugs in Eastham, Bebington and Birkenhead.
Merseyside’s Police Commissioner speaks out on passing of Policing Bill
Merseyside’s Police Commissioner, Emily Spurrell, has spoken of her concern today after the controversial Police, Crime, Sentencing and Court Bill was passed without amendment.
The Labour Party proposed dozens of amendments to the contentious Bill, but it was approved by MPs on Monday evening by 365 votes to 265.
Wirral Police’s Liverpool city centre death appeal
Closure order served on former hotel in Birkenhead
Wirral Anti-Social Behaviour Team, working in partnership with Merseyside Police, has obtained a Full Closure Order on 9th July 2021 on a Birkenhead property that had become a hot-spot for nuisance and criminality.
The order on the former Central Hotel on Clifton Crescent was sought following complaints from local people about ongoing anti-social behaviour, with regular reports of drug dealing and criminal damage taking place from the property.
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Merseyside Police is committed to protecting victims of domestic abuse. It’s never too late to report or get support.
They will:
- listen to you
- talk you through all of your options
- put you in touch with other organisations who are there to help you
Call 101 or visit https://crowd.in/dPpBoJ
In an emergency you should always call 999
Dogs Die in Hot Cars: “Not long” is too long
Wirral Police issued the following advice regarding dogs during hot weather.
“Enjoy the return of the warm weather but please remember ‘Dogs Die in Hot Cars’.
“Also remember the ‘ Five Second Rule ‘ before walking your dog. Place the back of your hand on the pavement, if you can’t hold it there for five seconds it’s too hot to go for a walk!”
To view further advice from the RSPCA click: https://crowd.in/NvJpcf 
Woman jailed for minimum of 12 years for murdering husband in Neston
A woman who poured boiling water over her husband while he slept has been sentenced to life imprisonment.
Corinna Smith, of Highfield Road in Neston, will serve a minimum of 12 years in prison.
Since this article was published, further information surrounding the case has come to light.
The man who died was 80-year-old Michael Baines. He was taken to hospital with 36% burns to his body on 14 July 2020 – he died the following month on 18 August 2020.
On 13 July 2020 Corinna Smith’s daughter informed her about allegations of sexual abuse against children that had been going on for many years.
These allegations included one of child sexual abuse against the child that Corinna Smith and Michael Baines had together, Craig Baines, who sadly took his own life in 2007 aged 25.
In her sentencing remarks, the judge, The Honourable Mrs Justice Amanda Yip DBE, said of Corinna Smith, “This is something that you have felt guilty about ever since. You blamed yourself for Craig’s death although you had no reason to.”
For regular crime and police related updates, please visit https://www.facebook.com/groups/crimewatchwirral
Images and information used with kind permission from Wirral Police/Merseyside Police.
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