This is the birkenhead.news weekly round-up of crime and police news in and around Wirral during the previous seven days.
Former children’s entertainer from Wallasey jailed for child sex offences
A former children’s entertainer from Wirral has been jailed for 30 years for multiple sex offences involving children.
Paul McKee, 57, who was known professionally as Professor Paulos, was found guilty of 13 offences involving seven children over a period of nearly 25 years.
McKee, who is originally from Wallasey Village, was located and arrested in Thailand in September 2022 by the Royal Thai Police before being extradited to stand trial in Liverpool.
Boy’s bicycle stolen in machete robbery
Detectives are appealing for information following reports of a robbery where two boys were threatened with a machete in Bidston.
At around 7.20pm on Wednesday 26 July, police received a report of a dispute between three boys outside the car park at B&Q Bidston near to the Tradepoint entrance.
One boy who was riding a grey electric bike with his friend was approached by another boy who was dressed in black and carrying a machete.
Multiple burglaries in Thingwall in one night
Police are appealing for information following several burglaries in Thingwall in the early hours of Wednesday 26 July.
Five separate burglaries were reported in the area.
Three of the incidents happened at addresses on Pensby Road between 1.00 – 10.55am where it was reported that a man broke into the properties and stole a bike, handbag, purse, and quantity of cash.
Men sought following Birkenhead street robbery
Detectives have issued CCTV images of two men who could have information that may assist with their enquiries following a robbery in Birkenhead last month.
Just before 9.15pm on Tuesday 5 June, it was reported that two men approached a 13-year-old boy on Argyle Street South and stated they had a knife and punched him the face.
The two offenders then made off with his bike towards Hinderton Road.
Hoylake resident ‘furious’ that people may have parked illegally during The Open
A Wirral resident was left furious at parking issues during The Open golf championship in Hoylake.
The Open was held at the Royal Liverpool course between Thursday and Sunday with 250,000 estimated to have enjoyed one of the most prestigious competitions in golf, won on Sunday by American Brian Harman.
During the tournament, Wirral Council urged people to travel into Hoylake by public transport, with parking restrictions brought in to try and manage traffic.
Seacombe school playground vandalised
Merseyside Police received a report of vandalism at Riverside Primary School in Seacombe on Thursday 27 July.
It was reported that damage had been caused to the playground at some point between 4.30pm on Wednesday 26 July and 10.45am on Thursday 27 July.
A spokesperson for the school said, “We were absolutely heartbroken to come into school this morning to find lots of our outdoor things completely destroyed [including] fencing, arches, and benches in the playground.”
Men charged after £2m drugs parcel intercepted at Birmingham Airport
Two men have been charged in a National Crime Agency (NCA) investigation after a parcel containing 24 kilos of heroin was intercepted on its way to Liverpool.
James Poland, 43, of Liverpool, and Christian Adams, 33, of Birkenhead, appeared at Wirral Magistrates’ Court on 24 July, charged with importing and supplying class A drugs.
They will next appear at Liverpool Crown Court on Monday 21 August.
Merseyside Police launches campaign to reduce dog bite incidents
Merseyside Police has launched it’s Taking the Lead campaign to help reduce incidents of dog bites in Merseyside, starting this summer.
The campaign is being supported by Merseyside Dog Safety Partnership (MDSP), the Police and Crime Commissioner, the Blue Cross, Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, University of Liverpool, Royal Mail, and local councils.
The aim of Taking the Lead is to offer important safety tips to all dog owners in Merseyside about looking after their pet, especially around children, which could prevent serious injuries.
Ruptured gas pipe causes Bromborough road closures
Emergency services attended an incident in Bromborough on Thursday, 27 July and a number of properties were evacuated.
Firefighters from Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service were called just at 9:36pm and on scene at 9:44pm to a report of a ruptured gas pipe.
Merseyside Police put a number of road closures in place whilst the incident was being dealt with. A number of properties were evacuated as a precaution and a 75m cordon was put in place.
Ask your questions about policing in Wirral
Merseyside’s Police Commissioner is inviting people to submit their questions for the Chief Constable and her senior team as she prepares for her next public Scrutiny Meeting.
Emily Spurrell is responsible for holding the Chief Constable, Serena Kennedy, to account for delivering on her policing and community safety priorities and maintaining an efficient and effective police service in Merseyside.
One of the key ways the Police Commissioner undertakes this crucial role is through quarterly public Scrutiny Meetings, which include questions submitted by the public which she then puts to the Chief Constable and her Chief Officer team.
Some images and information used with kind permission from Wirral Police/Merseyside Police.
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