This is the birkenhead.news weekly round-up of police activity in and around Wirral during the previous seven days.
Appeal following racially aggravated assault in Rock Ferry
Merseyside Police has issued CCTV images of a man who may have information that may assist with police enquiries after a racially-aggravated assault in Rock Ferry on Friday 25 March.
At around 8.30pm it was reported that a man was assaulted at a takeaway on Bedford Road.
A customer who entered the takeaway with his dog was reported to have directed racial slurs at a member of staff before approaching the counter and headbutting him, then leaving on foot.
Police looking for owners of lost/stolen bikes
Whilst on foot patrol in the Liscard, Egremont and West Kirby areas, officers from Team Wallasey have recovered a number of bicycles suspected to be lost/stolen.
If you believe one of these bikes may be yours please e-mail 8857@merseyside.police.uk with contact details, proof of ownership will also be required.
Warning over motorway middle lane hogging
Hogging the middle lane while driving on a motorway can land you with a £100 fine and three penalty points on your driving licence.
However, some drivers travel in the middle lane whether they’re overtaking other vehicles or not. This is middle lane hogging.
Middle lane hogging is classed as a traffic offence under ‘careless driving’ legislation and is therefore illegal.
The highway code states that you should “Keep in the left lane unless overtaking. If you are overtaking, you should return to the left lane when it is safe to do so.”
Two men jailed following machete attack during burglary
Two men who broke into an address in Ellesmere Port and assaulted the homeowner with a machete have been jailed.
Daniel Dickinson and Nathan Tuppeny, both aged 30, appeared at Chester Crown Court on Thursday 14 April.
Dickinson, of no fixed address, was jailed for 11 years, plus four years on extended licence, after pleading guilty to aggravated burglary. Tuppeny, of Gresford, was sentenced to 18 months in prison after he admitted assisting an offender.
Operation Vermont continues in Wirral
As part of Operation Vermont, officers have been carrying out open land searches and traffic stops in Birkenhead, and around the Beechwood and Woodchurch estates.
Targeted officers seized three vehicles for having no insurance, and issued five tickets to drivers for speeding.
Officers also carried out open land searches, looking for weapons and drugs stashed by criminals. These searches were carried out following information received from the public.
Operation Vermont is all about disrupting criminal activity. If you can help, you can get in touch via Merseyside Police Contact Centre, calling 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Young woman sexually assaulted at Birkenhead Park
Merseyside Police has launched an investigation following an allegation of sexual assault of a young woman in Wirral on Wednesday 20 April.
The incident is reported to have happened in Birkenhead Park at around 9.40pm.
An investigation is underway and forensic, CCTV and witness enquiries are being carried out in the local area.
Six points and £1,000 fine for mobile phone use while driving
From 25 March 2022, motorists are breaking the law if they use a handheld mobile phone behind the wheel for any use, including to take photos or videos, scroll through playlists or play games – as the government closes a loophole previously exploited by dangerous drivers to escape conviction.
Anyone caught using their handheld device while driving could face a fine of up to £1,000 as well as 6 points on their licence or a full driving ban.
The government’s award-winning THINK! team is also launching an £800,000 awareness campaign to remind drivers not to use a handheld phone at the wheel and of the penalties if choosing to ignore this new law.
eBikes and scrambled seized
Following reports from residents of anti-social behaviour and drug dealing, a combined MATRIX team conducted an operation on the Beechwood Estate.
Two illegal electric bikes and two suspected stolen scramblers were seized.
Six arrests were made for drugs and other offences following searches of some houses.
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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