This is the birkenhead.news weekly round-up of police activity in and around Wirral during the previous seven days.
Knife Angel event highlights anti-violence campaign
On Friday 8 July, a launch event was held at the Grand Entrance to Birkenhead Park, signalling a month-long county-wide knife amnesty and ongoing education campaign which aims to reduce the number of weapons on the streets of Merseyside.
The Wirral Rock Choir opened the proceedings with a moving performance of the Robbie Williams song ‘Angels’ under the Knife Angel statue.
There were speeches by Clive Knowles, whose firm built the Knife Angel, Merseyside Police Deputy Cheif Constable Ian Critchley, Merseyside Police and Crime Commissioner Emily Spurrell, Mark Cambourne from Wirral Council, and an emotional speech by Mandy Jamieson on the effect that knife crime had on her family after her son Daniel was killed in a knife attack.
Merseyside Police wants your video footage to help catch burglars
Merseyside Police has launched a new website link to enable members of the public to upload video footage from their home security cameras or smart doorbells that shows suspicious activity.
When burglars are looking for opportunities to break into homes, they’ll often snoop around the outside of properties to look for vulnerabilities in security and identify anything worth stealing.
They may walk through the garden, down a driveway or up to the doorstep, and this activity is now increasingly being captured on video as surveillance cameras and smart doorbells grow in popularity.
Next of kin appeal – John Gale
Can you help trace the next-of-kin of a person from Wirral who has passed away?
We are appealing on behalf of the coroner’s office for help in tracing the next of kin of a man from Birkenhead.
John Gale, 69, passed away at his home address in Waterpark Road on 8 July.
Dogs Die in Hot Cars: “Not long” is too long
The following advice has been issued 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 
Gang causes criminal damage to cars in Liscard
Police stepped up high-visibility patrols following reports of criminal damage in the Central Park area of Liscard on Wednesday 13 July.
It was reported that the windows of six cars parked on Leominster Road and Greenheys Road were damaged.
It was further reported that a group of six males were seen in the area with their faces covered.
Attack on Wirral man in Ellesmere Port leads to attempted murder hunt
Police investigating an attempted murder in Ellesmere Port are appealing for witnesses.
At 5.17pm on Thursday 14 July, a patrol car was flagged down by passers-by on Westminster Road in Ellesmere Port to alert the officers that a man had been seriously assaulted.
They located an 18-year-old man with serious injuries in Worcester Walk.
RSPCA rescue 25 poorly cats and kittens left abandoned in Wirral flat
The RSPCA were called to rescue 25 cats and kittens who had been abandoned in a dingy flat in Wirral.
The animal welfare charity was responding to concerns about the pets who were left in a rented property in Birkenhead when the owners had moved out.
Once there rescuers were shocked to find dozens of frightened felines inside with no food and water who were all hiding behind furniture and some were living in the sofa (pictured) and it is believed some kittens were born inside the cushions.
NW Motorway Police lane hogging warning
NW Motorway Police has warned drivers about lane-hogging on motorways.
In a number of posts on social media, they showed images of cars hogging lane 2 (the centre lane) and cars that had been stopped after failing to move into the correct lane.
The rule for lane discipline on motorways is simple: “You should always drive in the left-hand lane when the road is clear. If you are overtaking a number of slower-moving vehicles, you should return to the left-hand lane as soon as you are safely past.”
Some images and information used with kind permission from Wirral Police/Merseyside Police.
For regular crime and police-related updates, please visit https://www.facebook.com/groups/crimewatchwirral
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